The season has only just started and Arsene Wenger already has a lot to answer for. Why oh why did he fail to bring in more defensive personnel this summer? It’s beginning to look like one of the biggest blunders of his storied career.
We all know that he favours an ‘attack is the best form of defense’ approach, but he’s taken this maxim to the next level this year. He’s got great attacking talent like Lukas Podolski, Tomas Rosicky and Joel Campbell who are seriously struggling for game-time. On the other hand, Arsenal are struggling to pull together enough defensive players to flesh out their starting eleven. This is a severely unbalanced squad.
Arsenal also have major issues in the defensive midfielder position. Mikel Arteta has managed to do the job for the last couple of seasons, but his ever increasing age is beginning to hold him back. He’s got no pace, he doesn’t win anything in air and he gives away a lot of fouls. That doesn’t exactly make him an ideal defender, does it?
What’s most unfortunate is that The Gunners were linked to a number of decent defensive midfielders in the summer. Surely Sami Khedira, Morgan Schneiderlin or William Carvalho could have done a better job for Arsenal than their current options?
Yet a move never came to pass. Now they’re going to have to make do with what they’ve got.
This brings me to my solution: Abou Diaby. Now before you laugh, hear me out.
Yes, Abou Diaby is a constant injury doubt, but he’s now well on his way back to fitness. He made it through an entire 90 minute reserve game last week, which is a big step forward for The Frenchman.
Once he’s fit and ready, he’ll be far an away the most commanding and imposing midfielder in Arsenal’s midfield. He’s tall (and good in the air), stocky and physical. If he gets a decent run of games, I honestly feel that he has the potential to be The Gunners’ Yaya Toure.
For now, however, tasking him with doing a job in front of Arsenal’s back four looks like the right step. It’s not like The Gunners really have any other choice. Let’s just hope that Diaby is up to the task.
What’s your take? Could Abou Diaby help add steel to Arsenal’s midfield?
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Yes i think its a great idea, but its up to arsene to make it work. Tuesdays capital one game against southampton would be perfect to try this out. Lets hope he does. Fingers cross
We don’t have a ‘crisis’, Man U does
Diaby is goin 2 b great… Arsenal yaya