About time. Arsenal broke their duck against Liverpool, picking up their first win of the season and scoring the first (and second) goal of their season. At half-time Sky Sports played CeCe Peniston’s Finally (finally, it’s happened to me…). I’m sure Arsenal fans couldn’t agree more.
After struggling against Sunderland and Stoke, two sides determined to deny Arsenal any space or time, playing against Liverpool was a breath of fresh air. Brendan Rodger’s side set out to attack and Arsenal were able to deploy their once famous counter-attacking football.
And it was Santi Cazorla who carried the fight to Liverpool. His marauding run through the Red’s midfield set-up Lukas Podolski goal, before his stinging shot crept under Reina in the second-half. But the man who most impressed me during the match was Abou Diaby. Indeed, his performance was so good that, Arsenal fans may well start to consider him their secret weapon in the title race.
For a long time now, Abou Diaby has been a punchline for Arsenal fans. He has spent a considerable amount of time on the physio’s table and hasn’t always impressed on the odd occasion he has managed to hobble onto a football pitch.
In 2011/12 he made 5 appearances for Arsenal. This year he’s already made 3. Speak it quietly, but could Abou Diaby be back to full fitness?
It certainly looked that way. He moved extremely gracefully on Sunday, dancing around Liverpool’s midfield, knocking the ball past players and sailing forward with some powerful running. He’s a strange mix of athleticism, power and refinement. We’re finally starting to see why Arsene Wenger has put so much faith in Diaby. He may well be the reason why Arsene decided to let Nuri Sahin (who was anonymous during his Liverpool debut) head to Anfield, instead of the Emirates.
He looked like a completely different player from the man who foolishly got himself sent off against Newcastle during Arsenal’s notorious 4-4 draw in February last year.
His impact this season will naturally depend on his ability to stay fit. If he does stay fit, however, he may well help Arsenal secure a top four finish (and potentially challenge for silverware). Alongside Santi Cazorla and Mikel Arteta, Arsenal look to have an effective, dynamic midfield. Of all three, however, Diaby may be the only player capable of performing moments of magic and unlocking seemingly unlockable defences.
Regardless, I’m glad to see him back. Let’s hope that he sticks around for longer this time.
What’s your take? Will Abou Diaby be an important player this season?
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100% i know a quality midfielder when i see one he was as good as any one against liverpool
not good enough, simple as, remember west brom’s midfield tore Liverpool’s a new one too.
His quality has never been doubted by most fans.great vision and power .The only doubt is can he stay fit.Victim of an atrociuos tackle by a thug who couldnt lace his boots 5 years ago it seemed we would never see what he was really capable of.He deserves to stay fit and enjoy the rest of his career at Arsenal
he has always threatened to show us something but unfortunately it hasn’t materialised, but now would be a good time for him to make the breakthrough that most of us knew was there. good luck and enjoy the ride. colinc
Good lad. Let’s hope he helps d team win a few trophies dis season.
If he stays fit, he can be as important for Arsenal as Song was.
He is better than Song, more aggressive going forward.
Much too early to judge but from what I saw against Liverpool, Abou Zidiaby is better than Song. More power, more elegant and assured on the ball going forward and more swaggar. Will be deadly with Jack wilshere in the mix.
Many have been said abt Diaby bt to me i can’t rate him that high unless he proves himself until jan coz i’ve seen this guy shine beyond expectation on some occassion only to lose concentration on the match to follow. So i can’t judge him on one game.
Diaby has been unfortunate with injuries in the past which has prevented him from challenging and holding down a place in the first team. Now that Song has left, he has a real chance if he stays fit. On his day he’s an absolute tank, hopefully he can have a full season then we can judge how good he is. Confident he will shine.