Arsenal would be foolish to let 124 Premier League appearances midfielder leave

Abou Diaby came into the picture at a time when our memories were still fresh with the exploits of Patrick Vieira. When he joined us from Auxerre in 2006, it was a like-for-like replacement, with Diaby being a dribbler and someone who has an eye for that inch perfect pass. Given the time Diaby has stayed at Arsenal, had he been fit, then he would have matured into a Yaya Toure type of player… And who does not want that?

But then, the fairy tale ends there, in wishes and what-ifs. The Frenchman’s career took a nosedive, plagued with persistent injuries year-in-year-out, he has been on the treatment table ever since he picked that knock at the Magpies. Since then, he shows up, auditions quite well, leaves us hopeful, then back to his best friend, the doctor. It is one, sad career and also quite a mental challenge for him to keep hoping that something would work out differently, yet nothing ever does.

This past week, as Mikel Arteta was handed a new contract (or so it is said), questions started emerging over the future of Diaby, and if there’s anymore kick left for him at the Emirates. For some, it’s a sad goodbye to a promising player, who just never got the time, and for another lot, my lot, it does not hurt to keep Diaby on our payroll.

Abou Diaby turns 29 this year. Quite the age where most players find their perfect pair of feet. I understand the argument that we have very many box-to-box players – Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere – a number of midfielders. But how much does it hurt to keep Diaby? I think it will benefit Arsenal later on. A few seaons ago, Tomas Rosicky had a lengthy injury – twice he has had to play less that 10-games a season because of injury. Is he not the perfect attacking midfielder? But we kept him, and occasionally, we reap the fruits of his good play.

In the 2009-2010 season, his partnership with Cesc Fabregas and Alex Song, all departed, was a mouthwatering one; he scored, assisted, broke plays… He was the ultimate player. That was the time he started the season fit. Similarly, during the 2012-2013 season, we played Liverpool at Anfield, and Diaby was the Man of the Match. Such performances are not a one-off. They only happen when a player is fit and confident of his game. Diaby, will one day be fit, and confident. Maybe tomorrow or later, but he will, and how sweet would it be if it is Arsenal who reap of it?

Also, in all fairness, letting him go would be throwing him to a jungle. We can afford Diaby in this state. We have had players like Sebastian Squillaci and Andre Santos on the payroll despite them not being the best. Failing to renew his contract amounts to a forced retirement, because surely, who will take him? I get the feeling Diaby can play for Arsenal and nobody else. There are things to tolerate, and his injury is one. He is injury prone, but we also have a medical team who need to earn their bacon.

Diaby is an injured, not dead player. We have not seen the best of him but if we stick with him, we just might.