Speaking to Arsenal.com, earlier this week, Arsene Wenger spoke about the fitness of Abou Diaby and Andres Santos: “They should be coming back into training with the squad next week”.
Arsenal fans would do well to take this news with a pinch of salt. Abou Diaby has proved to be a highly unreliable presence throughout his Arsenal career.
Following a horrendous injury from Sunderland’s Dan Smith, Diaby has struggled to find his feet once more in the Premier League. His body and mentality has been affected and it’s not clear he’ll ever be able to play football on a regular basis again.
He’s already missed 22 games this season. What’s more, he’s only made 171 appearances during six years with the Gunners. That’s an average of 28.5 games per season – not accounting for the number of times Diaby has only appeared as a substitute. It’s clear that he’s not offering the Gunners enough in return for his wage.
That may sound particularly harsh, but Diaby has done fairly well through Arsenal football club for a number of years now (at least on a monetary level) and I’m sure he can take the knock (though his body probably can’t).
It’s a shame, because when he’s at his best, Abou Diaby is a majestic footballer. If you need evidence of this, check out footage from Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Liverpool earlier this season.
The Frenchman was fighting fit and in prime form. The way he carried the ball through the midfield was reminiscent of Yaya Toure and his ability to pass the ball about was enviable. He has grace, poise and physicality.
Whilst the likes of Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla and Mikel Arteta offer plenty on a technical level, Diaby provides the Gunners with the competitive edge they often lack. He has the strength to hold off other players, the desire to win the ball back and a personality to allow him to impose himself on opposition midfielders.
He’s a great all-rounder and completely different to the players that Arsenal currently have available to them.
It’s good news to hear that he’s on the mend once more. Arsenal fans will be hoping that it’s for good this time. Last time a long-term Arsenal crock came good, the Gunners ended up with Robin Van Persie at his very best. Is it too much to ask for something similar with Abou Diaby?
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Diaby is a great player when he’s fit
but he is never ever fit. even vp atleast was able to play 20/25 games per season. diaby 3 games per year…..
Hey, hope he comes good, but we are watching the birth of Henri mk 2.
I want wenger to know that diaby is not dependable player bcus play just 3 or 5 march in a season,is not d player we would rely on him.i love when he was on field but not rely on him.wenger should find player who can hold ball to join jack.up guner.
He did play well against Liverpool. But do you often see that? Usually he is below par, and he is not a good footballer even if he is fit.
@para: Diaby’s more like RVP …. hope not though