Abou Diaby has come in for a fair amount of stick this season. There are occasions where he just doesn’t seem at the races.
At the moment it’s unclear whether he has the talent or ability to make it at Arsenal and he certainly doesn’t appear to have the correct mentality. As a result he’s joined a list of Arsenal players that fans are keen to get rid of this summer. Alongside Diaby, the likes of Emmanuel Eboue, Denilson, Gael Clichy, Nicklas Bendtner are thought by many to be surplus to requirements at the Emirates.
Whilst I can understand the frustration of the fans, I wouldn’t necessarily advocate Arsenal moving Diaby on to another club. It’s his attitude that frustrates me most: too often can he be seen strolling casually around the centre of Arsenal’s midfield, carelessly letting the game pass him by and refusing to assert himself on the proceedings.
As a result he’s developed a reputation for not being able to score/shoot, not being a good passer and not being able to dominate the centre of the park. This just isn’t the case: we’ve seen on rare occasions that Diaby finds form, he has something to add Arsenal’s game.
Diaby’s job as a central-midfielder is to keep the ball, drive play forward, break up opposition play and make the odd foray into opposition territory. These are all things Diaby has done relatively well this season and whilst I grant that he’s no Cesc Fabregas, he’s a country mile better than Denilson. In fact, I’d argue that Diaby’s technique and ability to keep the ball under pressure is nigh on unrivalled at the club.
The trouble with Diaby strings from the fact that he’s almost always out injured. He’s rarely ever granted a run of games in the first-team and as a result Arsenal fans rarely ever get to see a fully-fit Diaby playing at the peak of his game. This is why words like ‘languid’ and ‘leggy’ are attributed to Diaby: not because of his mentality but because of his fitness issues.
When he does get an opportunity to play, he can often impress, despite a distinct lack of match fitness. In recent memory, I recall Diaby putting in decent performances against Blackpool (a very mobile, buccaneering performance), Tottenham and Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final. Before we call for his head, I’d like to see what Diaby can offer Arsenal if he can stay fit and get a run of games in the squad.
There must be a reason why Wenger has so much faith in Diaby and I for one would like him to hang around for at least another season in an attempt to see why this is.
Moreover, with a number of players set to leave the Emirates this season, Wenger wont want to initiate a sea change. Whilst Denilson’s Arsenal career is over, there’s a role for Diaby at the club as a squad player until he can prove himself worthy of something more.
Click HERE to see the original article. This article was first published on ThisIsFutbol
Written by Harry Cloke
No more chances,i cant see the justification in giving him “one more season” just to see if he can fulfill his potentials what potential! He has bin one of the players that more was expected of for so long that it doesn’t make any more sense hoping in vain, he the players you mentioned and some others in the squad can all hit the door.
good article mate…you nearly convinced me…which in itself is a high measure of success as i am one of those many fans that have lost patience with him.
You are correct it is his mentality that lets him down. Top players are focused 100% on the match, they are almost crazy with determination, but diaby looks to me a little vacant and lost in his own daydreaming world. He has shown great passages of skill and athleticism, so i can follow your reasoning. Perhaps he needs someone at the club to motivate him one-on-one.
I completely agree with you ive always rated Diaby for his ability, he just needs to fix his attitude. i would keep him in the squad, if he fails to perform, send him on loan, and upon his return if he still has an attitude problem THEN he should be sold.
Regarding the other potential players for sale, i would only sell denilson, almunia and rosicky they have been useless all season. Clichy and Eboue have at least had a few strong moments and contribute to the squad with clichy’s speed, attacking prowess and high interception rate, and Eboue’s strength and positive attitude.
Another season .. and another season and another.
If you wrote this article two years ago I’d agree 100%, even if you wrote it last year I’d be inclined to agree with you, but now no chance.
Diaby is without doubt a technically gifted player, he has a great physique for a central midfielder, he’s pacy and powerful, but his brain is just not at the races. He has always had a tendency to hold on to the ball a touch too long which invariably means he loses it or fails to pick the correct pass. I thought he would improve this aspect of his game as he is surrounded by so many quick thinking players but he has stayed stagnant in this respect.
Then there is the issue of fitness, he can’t play a game without tweaking something, maybe this is due to the fact he broke his ankle early in his career but whatever the reason a constantly injured player is no good for us, keeping him even for one more season would be scandalous in my opinion. I would rather we promote someone or buy another youngster than wasting another season to see if Diaby finally grabs his chance.
I see no reason to get rid of clichy, a matter of fact i think it would be crazy. He has been fairly solid in our backfield. If there is someone in mind to take his place, i would maybe consider. If nothing else make him a backup for the miriade of games next season. Any idea of selling clichy is rubbish.
He does have ability. His keep ball is superb. But as you said his brain ain’t in the game. Maybe one more chance is ok? But overs need to go.
Al seems to be the only one who’s been paying attention to Diaby over the years, no doubt he is talented but the only problem is that he holds on to the ball more than necessary which leads to his other bad decisions. How many times have we seen Diaby dribble 2 or 3 players them lose the ball to the next player instead of picking an obvious pass. The reason he should leave is that this problem has been there since the first time I watched him play for arsenal if 4/5 years can’t change him what difference will one more year make. And you claiming “his ball holding under pressure is unrivalled” is an insult to those of us who have had the pleasure of watching WILSHERE, NASRI and FABREGAS play
ok, yes, people underrate Diaby. But YOU (writer of article) overrate him.
Lacks a killer instinct, that’s his problem.
and arguing that diaby is the best at keeping the ball under pressure is nonsense. he loses the ball aplenty. Wilshere is supreme when it comes to this.
but i think if Diaby can find a killer instinct, and back himself to go for a run and dribble more often, and just lift his intensity in general, he has it in him to become a very good player.