Abou Diaby scored a couple of good goals in his last game for Arsenal in the game against Portsmouth. In the wake of that victory, Arsene Wenger had this to say about Diaby.On Abou Diaby’s similarities to Patrick Vieira..."Abou is a more offensive player but if he decides to play defensively he is exactly like Vieira. At some stage when Gallas moved out I put Denilson centre back and put Diaby central midfield in a defensive role. And he looks completely similar to Patrick to win the ball back. But he is a guy who has a quick transition from defence to offence, from box to box, that is his fantastic strength, to change quickly. Nobody can go with him when he has that, when we are on the counter-attack. He is fantastic."
On the frustrating time Diaby has had..."He has been out for nine months. He has been here three years and I have seen that today he played his 100th game so that means he has been out for a long, long time. He has had little problems and he worked very hard this summer. This could be Abou’s year, it could be his season because he prepared well, he looks very sharp, very strong, he has all you dream to have to play in the Premier League."
Emmanuel Petit also compared Abou Diaby to Patrick Vieira in a new article in the mirror following the game. Considering what a massive player Vieira was, I think it is a very flattering that Diaby is being compared to Vieira.
When Abou Diaby was signed, it looked like he was naturally going to fill the Vieira role, everything seemed to be going according to plan until he got a nasty injury against Sunderland that completely halted his development. Since he returned back from injury, he hasn't exactly gone on to fulfill the initial promise he showed when he signed for Arsenal.
Abou Diaby is a very interesting player, he has good physique, excellent close ball technique and good with the ball on his feet. Unfortunately, football is about the bigger picture and that is the aspect lacking in Diaby's game. He holds unto the ball a bit too long, tries to dribble too much, he isn't really much of a passer and he really doesn't see his teammates on the pitch. In my opinion Abou Diaby would be an excellent player in 5 aside football game but on a bigger pitch, the flaws in his game get exposed.
The bigger problem facing Abou Diaby at Arsenal is figuring what his best position is on the pitch. He isn't really defensive enough to play as a defensive midfielder yet he isn't dynamic enough to play in a more offensive role in the midfield. Arsene Wenger has played him in central midfield, in the defensive midfield, as a supporting striker and even on the left wing. He really hasn't found his niche in any of this positions and that has somewhat down his development. However the new 4-3-3 formation presents an opportunity for Diaby to finally establish himself.
Watching Abou Diaby score those 2 goals against Portsmouth reminded me of what a talented player he is but he has to be consistent and establish himself this season because he is not a kid anymore. He also needs to shake off these niggling injuries that have kept him in and out of the team for the last couple of years.
When Abou Diaby was signed, it looked like he was naturally going to fill the Vieira role, everything seemed to be going according to plan until he got a nasty injury against Sunderland that completely halted his development. Since he returned back from injury, he hasn't exactly gone on to fulfill the initial promise he showed when he signed for Arsenal.
Abou Diaby is a very interesting player, he has good physique, excellent close ball technique and good with the ball on his feet. Unfortunately, football is about the bigger picture and that is the aspect lacking in Diaby's game. He holds unto the ball a bit too long, tries to dribble too much, he isn't really much of a passer and he really doesn't see his teammates on the pitch. In my opinion Abou Diaby would be an excellent player in 5 aside football game but on a bigger pitch, the flaws in his game get exposed.
The bigger problem facing Abou Diaby at Arsenal is figuring what his best position is on the pitch. He isn't really defensive enough to play as a defensive midfielder yet he isn't dynamic enough to play in a more offensive role in the midfield. Arsene Wenger has played him in central midfield, in the defensive midfield, as a supporting striker and even on the left wing. He really hasn't found his niche in any of this positions and that has somewhat down his development. However the new 4-3-3 formation presents an opportunity for Diaby to finally establish himself.
Watching Abou Diaby score those 2 goals against Portsmouth reminded me of what a talented player he is but he has to be consistent and establish himself this season because he is not a kid anymore. He also needs to shake off these niggling injuries that have kept him in and out of the team for the last couple of years.
I saw how talented he was against Roma at home. He was brilliant in the first half when he took over the game from box to box. When he got hurt in the second, we weren't the same. I agree with the points you have made about his strengths and weakness. If he plays more defensively, I think he has the potential to become one of the best dm in the world. Hope that Wenger can get through to his head soon.
ReplyDeleteDiaby is cool and can really deliver but i think is role in team is minimal so he will not see it as his responsiblity compare to song who already knows that he should be in charge and give cesc the chance to play. in diaby's early days i was so sure he was viera's replacement i think he will have to do more if he wants to establish himself
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