Abou Diaby has made 109 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal and has netted 14 goals for the club to date. A box-to-box midfielder who is elusive and athletic, a player who can attack and defend and, in my opinion, a player who has been sorely missed. Our very own Yaya Toure.
The 25-year-old has a superb touch on the ball, excellent close control and is also very composed. Though his career has been plagued by a number of injuries which has led to inconsistency and, in some cases, has made him very short tempered and undisciplined at times, Diaby remains one of our top players at the club.
When the French international was fully fit and playing at his best, he drew comparisons to that of Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira, which, in my view, is a fair assessment.
As you can probably tell, Diaby is one of my favourite players at Arsenal. One of the players I completely disagree when fans call deadweight and should be offloaded. He is a player that I truly believe we need to give time too. When he fully recovers from his injury, the tall midfielder could prove to be a valuable asset to the team.
I’d like to think of him as a player who might have the same run and effect as Robin van Persie has had on our team, not in terms of goals, but perhaps in assists and dominance in midfield. Diaby has the potential to become a great player for our club, but must be kept fit. If he can avoid picking up injuries and have a good run in the first-team, then I reckon many of those fans calling for him to be sold will reassess their views on him.
Sell some other players in the squad this summer, but Diaby must stay as he has the potential to become an Arsenal great!
Any Gooners out there agree with me?
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great player he is even blanco haz used him ahead of cabeya, martin and even lass in the middle of france. Surely is agrt guy wid the ball knows to creat space in the opposition defence. If vp haz become good at 28. So will AD 2
I couldn’t agree more, Diaby is a sensesional player making soccer a sport to watch. When he was fit and ready, Wenger was sitting him on the bench and I believe his lack of involvement on many games contributed to his injuries. I hope Wenger correct this situations and give Diaby the starting position he deserve.
I remember being almost appalled when I first saw Diaby wear the Arsenal jersey (it was redcurrant at that time). He was immensely slow-paced and seemed destined to lose the ball everytime he got it. Ever since that day I catched a glimpse here and there of a player whom some dubbed the new Vieira, but he was always so deadly slow he never really showed much class. Injuries took away most of his Arsenal career, robbing him of playing time that could help him develop. Then came last season, when his highlight was trying to kill Barton; but the big surprise for me was not that he’s done it again and got a stupid card, nor even that he’s visited the doctor more often than the club grounds again, but – that Diaby could actually run faster and make better passes than usual. You know, this season, when he came as a substitute against Fulham at home, he was really showing signs not only of physical recovery, but also of a recovery of a long-lost talent. I, too, think he’s a very capable player.
The only problem is he’s not EPL material. Before you know it, he’ll be out again and what’s the use of having a potent midfielder when you can’t play him?
Maybe you are seeing things in slow motion, I suggest to check your vision. Diaby has excellent handling of the ball, his passes are accurate and he anticipate passes by making himself available. Next time watch the flow of the game when he is playing, he is one of the players who likes to drive the ball towards the oponents goal not the other way arround.
Well I guess he is not the only one leaving EPL since the EPL is dying slowing. Praising brut and careless tackles over skill and technic… Ensuring that Manu wins every season. Strange all hated coaches are able to beat manu. Kean, Mancini, and the loved ones cannot beat Manu. Bruce, Aladyce, Hughes
for a player more often missing than not, i could not help but smile at the description of him being ‘elusive’.
that he is for sure
i completely agree, brill article. u can see the talent there. just unlucky. u dont get picked in the starting 11 for france every game if your shit. box to box brilliant
What is his status currently? I like him as a player, but he does not fit the current Arsenal set up IMO. He is a good dribbler, but if I am correct, then Wenger wants faster movement of the ball. That does not seem to be Diaby’s strng point. He keeps the ball well, but isn’t quick to pass it which is a hindrance for the team.
Well said fellow gunner, i agree with you totally. I’ve always been fond of Diaby and i miss him the most. And it really irks me when the so called Football genius cum Arsenal fans sing in chorus to sell him off. They are so short sighted, i would say give him time and let him et back on his feets and see what he can do for you, he has amazing control on the ball, will power and an amazing athelet. Wait for him to retun, i pray for him to return
Diaby is a useless french crock with zero talent.Amazing control of the ball,ha ha don’t make me laugh he just gives it away all the time.Eduardo got shipped out after his injury because he wasn’t one of wenger’s french babies.How much longer do we have to keep crocks on the wage bill?He can’t take being tackled anymore,so unless they outlaw tackling he is stuffed.
I’ll have some of what you’re on
must people use foul languages… Ha ha
Diaby is on his 28th injury ffs!!!! On his day he’s great but how often do we get to see him on his day? He’s on £60,000 per week and is draining our wage budget. It’s a pitty that he has never made the grade and reached his full potential, however, he hasn’t and won’t. He costs us £171,743 per game he plays….GET RID!