Arsenal fans will have been dismayed to hear the news last week that their French midfielder, Abou Diaby, is out for another 9 months. That’s enough time to conceive and give birth to a mini-Abou.
The truth, however, is that the Frenchman has ruptured his cruciate ligament – an injury which will necessitate nine months out on the sidelines. It’s going to be a long, trying period for Diaby, though it wont exactly be a new experience.
According to The Sun, Diaby has suffered an incredible 36 injuries in seven years. That’s five per season. As a result, Diaby has only played 39 games in the last three seasons.
This is a player who should be bossing Arsenal’s midfield, but now may be facing the end of his playing career. The 26-year-old hasn’t enjoyed regular football in years and start to wonder if it’s time to start collecting his coaching badges.
It’s hard to think of a player who has promised more and delivered so little. Though it’s sad to view it this way, Diaby has been a drain on Arsenal’s resources for too long and he hasn’t been able to pay the club back on the pitch.
It’s also worth remembering that he takes up a squad place and his continued existence at Arsenal has stopped Arsene Wenger from heading out into the transfer market and snapping up a new player.
With this in mind, it’s worth asking the question: should Arsenal give up on Abou Diaby?
Arsene certainly hasn’t given up: “I thought originally it was just a little twist of the knee. When they told me it was a rupture of his cruciate, it’s demoralising.
I hope he will find the resources and the strength to fight for a comeback because he was quite down. I hope he will not give up.”
Diaby has every right to feel demoralised. His promising career as a top flight footballer was upended by a Sunderland player, who now plays in the Northern League first division.
But if he’s not willing to switch to a pay-as-you-play type deal with the Gunners, it’s time for him to move on and rebuild his career at a club that’s not so pressurised to deliver silverware.
Arsenal should consider giving him away for free, but asking for a decent buy-back option to be inserted into his new contract. Diaby should be ready to accept a drop in wages.
I wish Diaby all the best, but it’s time for him and his club to get real.
What’s your take? Should Arsene Wenger be keeping the faith in Abou Diaby?
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Diaby is a quality player when he is fit to play …. But due to a frame that cannot withstand the rigors of regular EPL football, it is a fact that Arsenal will need to let him go at the end of the season. I’m not sure he’ll have any type of career left in the game due to his fragility – nobody will take a risk on buying him.
I wish him the best, but it’s a sad fact that he cannot remain in the game as a player.
Up GURNER I WISH ARSENAL GOOD LUCK ARSENAL SHOULD SAY BY TO DIABY AND TRY TO FIND ANOTHER GOOD STANDING FOUR LIKE SONG AND FORGET ABOUT DIABY ARSENAL SHOULD FOCUS ON HOW THEY WILL BUY GOOD STRIKER AND GOOD DEFF MILD FILEDER TO COLLECT TROPH FOR NEXT COMING SEASON MY OWN ADVICE TO DIABY IS TO LEAVE FOOTBALL AND FIND ANOTHER BUZ TO DO OR HE SHOULD FIND ANOTHER CLUB FROM SPAIN OR FILDER TEAM BECAUSE IS AN INJURY PLAYER BY FROM NOW