One of the surprise inclusions in Arsenal’s squad as they lost 0-2 to Manchester City, was perennial injury magnet, Abou Diaby.
The Frenchman had been out for 3 months, hadn’t been in training for too long and clearly wasn’t match-fit. That he got a start (as a result of Mikel Arteta’s injury) in a match of such importance speaks of the state of this Arsenal squad. There’s just not enough strength in depth as things stand.
It also speaks of an implicit acknowledgement on behalf of Arsene Wenger, that the Gunners lack a little physical presence in midfield.
Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla and Mikel Arteta are all diminutive, slight players and not too hard to out-muscle. Abou Diaby is the antithesis of this kind of player. Yes, he’s graceful and athletic, but he’s also stocky and powerful.
Whilst he’s not your typical ‘midfield enforcer’, he’s certainly the kind of player who gives opposition midfielders a little something extra to think about.
I’ve seen him likened to City’s Yaya Toure and should the Frenchman maintain his fitness, he may well bare this comparison out. But that’s the problem. You’d have to be crazy to bet on Diaby staying fit for any extended period of time. His body is brittle and it appears the slightest touch or over-exertion is enough to break it.
It makes sense that Arsene Wenger should begin to look at other options. According to The Sun, Arsenal are readying a move to ‘nick’ West Ham’s main man Mohamed Diame. I think it’s easy to draw comparisons between the two players and the fact that their names are only separated by two different letters seems to encourage the link.
According to this source, Arsenal are ready to trigger the physically imposing midfielder’s release clause and bring him to the Emirates for just £3.5m.
Arsenal fans may balk at the idea of signing a player from West Ham, but Diame clearly has talent. Besides, he’s definitely a better asset than Diaby and Tomas Rosicky, who rarely ever feature for Arsenal. He’s more dynamic than Francis Coquelin and offers a different approach to the much maligned Aaron Ramsey.
As a squad player, he’d be an excellent choice. Besides, he’s the kind of player who could really kick on in the right arena and become something special. At just £3.5m surely that’s a gamble worth taking?
What’s your opinion? Is Mohamed Diame the right player for Arsenal?
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sign him mr.AW.
Pls mr wenger,make sure u sign dis guy,he is cand of player to play 4 arsenal squard as a standing 4,as replasment 4 alex song.
NO-ONE is match fit until they’ve played matches. Diaby is NOT brittle. You made that up. The last injury was muscular.
Coquelin is a wicked player.
Don’t compare Diame to Rosicky and Diaby… that’s just really stupid.
Aaron Ramsey is not ‘much maligned’
Much maligned is this dumb ass write-up.
I agree with but AW is not able buy new talents rather than recuirts as well as the assessements, assessements and assessements as a broker. AW is not the only specialist who knows those who have identifay the sepecial talented players. He may be will buy another dead wood players, like with out playing they can get the salary, b/c they are allredy sign.