Abou Diaby - A symbol of Arsenal’s failings?

Amidst what amounted to no more than a free for all by journalists worldwide against Arsene Wenger on the Robin Van Persie saga, Arsenal’s opening press conference of their tour of the Far East contained a significant bit of transfer news. Yann M’Villa, the young French defensive midfielder from Rennes who throughout May and June the Gunners were supposedly on the brink of signing, was officially no longer on Wenger’s radar. The 20 year old, who so impressed at the base of France’s midfield at Wembley in Les Bleu’s victory over England in November 2011, was now being dismissed. Apart from his suspect attitude, brought to light by his role as a perceived trouble maker and dissenter as France’s Euro 2012 campaign descended into anarchy, Wenger highlighted that Arsenal still had one Abou Diaby to return, offering that “when fit, Diaby is number one on the France teamsheet”. Yes, Abou Diaby, he of only four appearances in the whole of last season, three of which he entered as a substitute only to not even last the duration of the 90 mins.

Sound familiar? At a press conference in the beginning of January, Arsene Wenger when questioned on the possibility of signing the prodigiously talented frenchman Yoann Gourcuff, replied ‘We have choices in midfield. We have Abou Diaby coming back from injury”. Fast forward a month, when mulling over Jack Wilshere’s latest injury setback, Wenger spoke of Diaby “needing three more weeks of training. Late February at the earliest”. Let’s go back further: January 2008, with Arsenal top of the league; following Tomas Rosicky’s injury, Wenger asserted a replacement from the transfer market was inconceivable; “I believe that we have the needed quality because Diaby develops very well”. Diaby then predictably picked up an injury “making a simple pass” and missed the rest of the season as the Gunners finished 3rd.

This is not an attack on the 25 year old Frenchman, who for all the world clearly has the talent to become the authoritative midfield figure Arsenal and France have lacked since the talismanic Patrick Vieira. Indeed, on the rare occasions Diaby does take the field for the Gunners he appears to offer a directness with the ball, as well as unpredictable trickery capable of unlocking the mass defences Arsenal encounter week after week. His most injury free season, 2009/10, highlighted Diaby’s qualities as he notched 7 goals from midfield before going on to become France’s standout failure in their disastrous World Cup campaign in South Africa. However, Diaby is clearly suffering the effects of a horror tackle from Sunderland’s Dan Smith during the dying moments of a game in 2006. The undoubted trauma of that tackle, which left Diaby’s leg and ankle in tatters, has marked his career and injuries to the extent that the Arsenal website often does not even mention him in articles noting returning injured players. Indeed, last season when Diaby would be substituted injured only a matter of minutes after he had made his return to the team via the bench, the sorry sight was greeted with laughter from Arsenal fans, rather than sorrow. It has become evident to them that Diaby is a symbol at the crux of what has gone wrong at Arsenal under Arsene Wenger since 2005.

Diaby, as talented though he may be, simply cannot be relied upon. Wenger appears to be blind to his inability to string a stretch of games together and thus the dominant midfield presence Arsenal so clearly need is left vacant due to the continual wait for Diaby to “come back”. Diaby is not an isolated example. Of course, Robin Van Persie’s form has been sensational since the beginning of 2011, but it must not be forgotten how his previous lengthy lay offs, rather than spurring purchases of top quality attackers, have left Wenger shopping for bargain basement back ups - the likes of Chamakh (2 goals in the last 12 months) and Park (5 minutes of Premiership football to date), spring to mind, as Wenger continually spoke of the Dutchman’s eventual return. Kieran Gibbs provides another example whilst sadly, Jack Wilshere is the latest Arsenal crock who’s return Wenger continues to speak of, rather than go out and buy a replacement. These injury-prone players, such as Diaby bloat Arsenal’s wage budget to the extent that Wenger speaks of “Nobody (coming in) above the highest level we have here”. Herein lies the hypocrisy of what Wenger has done at Arsenal. Yes, Diaby’s potential is vast and must be nurtured but the old adage is that no player is bigger than the club. If the reliance on him is due to the fact that Wenger’s hands are tied financially, then more transparency is needed at board level. Otherwise, Wenger’s already diminishing reputation will only continue to dwindle under this apparent confusion.

Adam Mazrani

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Comments

[DR]

I know I shouldn't bit but...

takes deep breath

Song, Arteta.Coqeulin, Frimpong, Ramsey, Chambelain, Cazorla, Rosicky.

Even without the two crocks (both of whom are classy players, and one of which has looked very sturdy in pre-season) that is who we have in midfield, big on both quality and quantity. Two years ago you might have had a point, like Van Perise's statement though, saying it now just looks a little foolish.

[Al]

I have too much respect for Wenger to dismiss his opinion, but I struggle to find any qualities that supposedly make Diaby a potential world beater. To me he is not an Arsenal type of player, and his main problem is incurable because it lies between his ears. The guy simply has no football brain. He is a sloppy thinker, has no eye for a great ball, often out of position and too often finds himself mindlessly run into a cul-de-sac while attempting to dribble the ball . He switches in and out of the game, and simply can not be relied upon in defense or in dictating the game. The concept of timing of a pass seemingly is avoiding him. He is a support act at best with flashes of technical ability and power, but he does not produce enough for his salary and perceived status. And it is not about the injuries. This is actually a very Arsenal thing - the longer a player is out injured the better he becomes in the eyes of the fans. Just look at his career stats - you can find it on the net. You will be surprised by the meager amount of goals hehas scored. And just to think that by getting rid of the guy and giving his salary to RVP could almost match what Manchester clubs are ready to pay our best player.. well, I rest my case. I very much hope to eat my words by the end of this season , but there is a very little hope for that. I still remember when I wrote on a football forum before an Arsenal-ManU game that Diaby is a disaster waiting to happen and was slagged for that. And guess what - the guy scored a perfect header into his own net.. Sorry guys, I wish him well, but Diaby is not a player I wish to see in an Arsenal shirt.

[Joni Bravo]

'' France’s standout failure in their disastrous World Cup campaign in South Africa '' ?????????? which games were you watching because as far as i am concerned he had some great displays and was one of the shining lights despite a disastrous WC. It's obvious your not a fan of his which is o.k however as the author of this blog you would get more credit for being objective and that is the a SYMBOL OF FAILINGS OF THE MEDIA nowadays who have blog authors who all think they are football managers or would probably do a better job than the Arsenal manager himself. What a heading

[Piper]

France’s standout failure in their disastrous World Cup campaign in South Africa... how do you mean? he was their best player throughout the tournament winning man of the match in their first game against South Africa... which tournamnet were you talking about... mini world cup or what????

[A k umar]

I think from ur comment it appears as some one who is interested in fancy game like what players like Nani i united is doing i.e more fancy game and less impact. Wenger knows d players quite well. Even d last season u ‘re talking about i think u lose sight of the impact diaby has especially in our encounter with liverpool when there was a heinous pressure on arsenal at the midfield and diaby was introduced he neutralised d pressure which was more visible and apparent, just like the boss said on diaby given that he is injury free, u should rely on players like especially wen it comes to executing d Arsenal game plan than any other player in d mf. Seen is belief n i assure u that u will certainly recall that my statements and if at all u are expecting any kind of trophy, then u start praying for his fitness than unnecessarilly making a demenor of world class player like Diaby, when some of d soccer pundits were even rating him as improved version of ur so called viera.

[Adam]

woops, horrific typo to make there. i meant to say standout "success" or standout "player", rather than failure! my apologies!