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So... after a couple of days' contemplation, I've decided that, as far Abou Diaby goes, there is no case for the defence.

No, no. I'm kidding, but talking about him like the new Patrick Vieira has been proven time and time again to be a fallacy, it's rather like comparing Terminator 3 to the first two Terminator films (I haven't seen Salvation yet), they may appear outwardly to be cut from similar cloths. But actually, it's just a superficial resemblance. There's nothing inside that can be compared.

Moving on from the crowbarred in film reference, I guess you could say that Diaby has shown flashes of brilliance and you wouldn't be far from the truth. That game against Fenerbahce a shining example of Diaby at his best. But there haven't been too many of those this season. The manager thinks Diaby is best deployed as a number ten. But we have Arshavin, van Persie, Rosicky, Nasri and Bendtner that can all play that position and do it better. I'm not doubting Diaby's ball control, his ability to dribble or the fact that, when he catches it right, he can really hit a football. I'm just doubting his ability to put it all together on a consistent basis. I certainly think he's behind Denilson and Song in central midfield.

Which brings me to Aaron Ramsey.

I didn't see enough of Aaron last season for me to make a truly informed judgement. We did see, when Arsenal went to Ninian Park in the FA Cup, that- at a young age- he was still capable of letting an occasion get to him. Not that should be held against him, after all an entire team managed it in Roma a few weeks back, having been the beneficiaries of such a happening in north London a couple of weeks before that. In the chase for 4th place, he was nonetheless all but banished from first team duty afterwards.

Before that though, we saw that young Ramsey has a very good eye for a pass, evidenced by a lovely pass for Adebayor to complete his hat trick against Blackburn, he also produced a couple of assists in the Carling Cup. On international duty, he hit an absolute screamer against the English kids and whilst these are the same kind of flashes produced by Abou Diaby, Ramsey is a significantly younger prospect. I've said it before on this blog, I was struck by Wenger's description of him having a great engine and it leads me to believe that whilst he could be seen to be yet another "number 10", he may end of playing the same kind of role that Matty Flamini did for us. I don't have any real evidence for this, but what the hell, it's my blog, and I can make a leap if I want to.

Theo Walcott apparently set a goal up in England's 6-0 romp last night, that result has been somewhat overshadowed by news that Manchester United have accepted an £80m bid from Real Madrid for the Portuguese Winker. That leaves only one question in my mind, where do Real Madrid get their money from?

User Comments

technique

Posted on 15 Jun, 2009 at 09:58 PM - Reply

i think when we talk about diaby we should remember he is still very young, has got undoubtable talent and is improving all the time. In my opinion he is not defensive at all(at this stage in his carear) so that rules him out to start games with cesc however when need a goal in the last 20 mins of a game he is a perfect option to replace someone like song thefore we really need him as a sub to win games late on if were going to win anything at all.

Kaymax

Posted on 15 Jun, 2009 at 10:14 AM - Reply

Interesting atticle.my fears are the fact that Arsene wenger use these players in positions they are not good in.Diaby has this laid back atttitude.He does the playing more with his head than his feet.he tries to do things but get stuck in the middle.The premier league with such a high pace,he will always look like a mediocre.AW should keep in and try and use in in a different role and as a sub.Arsenal have fantastic players but without survival skills.AW should be more creative next season.convert theo into a striker playing alongside Eduardo/carlos vela.His pace could be an asset for us upfront.all these combinations will be possible if AW rotates his team a bit.He should give merida more responsibilities next season.He is an intelligent player.

maya

Posted on 15 Jun, 2009 at 03:31 AM - Reply

Diaby is a good players. However, he's the kind of player who only play good if he's allowed to play. That is to say when the opponent defend tightly he won't able to do shit. I don't know where did Wenger come up with Diaby give a physical presence though. Yes he's big, yes he's tall but does he the kind of player who like to get stuck with other players to compete for the ball? I don't see that on his play. Also he's the easiest player to lose ball from his feet on Arsenal squad. Other players just put a bit shoulder and he's out. Almost like his physical appearance is just for a show.
Well that to say, this lad would become a good players but not in Arsenal or EPL. I reckon he'll do fine in Spain or Italy.

LiM

Posted on 14 Jun, 2009 at 07:06 PM - Reply

Hi

my opinions about:

1. Diaby
He is quite a good attacking player... he has pace due to his
long legs .. can shoot .. tall ... looking strong going forward
.. can give us another dimension going forward
did not see any defensive trait in his play so far ...
but feel that he has the physique to give presence in central
midfield and to tackle
in summary, he has the potential to be a good box-to-box
player, like Frank Lampard and i would like to see him stay
in Arsenal

2. Ramsey
did not see much of him playing
from the few times i see him come on as a substitude, i see
that he is a player with an eye for a good pass
has the potential to be a play-maker
hope too that he be given a chance to show more of his
talent

Cheers

NigerianAbu

Posted on 14 Jun, 2009 at 12:21 PM - Reply

Abu is not an arsenal kind of player he doesnt give much passes and he likes to dribble. But he is still good

gunpowder

Posted on 14 Jun, 2009 at 04:55 AM - Reply

diaby has a horrible touch, cannot pass and does not have good composure. does have good dribbling decent ball control and strikes the ball well. he is also useless defensively, contradictory to his comparison to viera. In totality not at all good enough atleast not better than denilson,song,ramsey or wilshere. he's only there cause he's french.

Mannix,kenya

Posted on 13 Jun, 2009 at 08:04 PM - Reply

HAHAHA TRUELY FRASTRATION. I wonder when will we talk about great players like Kaka,Etoo,Xabi, Iniesta,Villa instead of Diaby, Eboue,Bendtner, Ade the lazy one. Come on.. Where does all gate collection,shirt and Tv funds go? Maybe it's tym to sing Hillwood must go and Dein Must come. Wenger is a hero bt stop buying kids, dispose liabily players and go for real one e.g Messi. Maybe we need to go back to our small HIGHBURY than have a beautiful Emirates with banch of kids and lazy man Aade or selfish Diaby. Get rid of this frustration by protest.

Jesus_Saves

Posted on 13 Jun, 2009 at 04:27 PM - Reply

I would want to put diaby as a striker. WAY UP so that he doesnt lose the ball in critical areas. he gives away the ball to many times. He needs to be a impact sub and go way upfront. He has potential, but he needs to fight some more and probably a loan spel would do.

arsenalfan1

Posted on 13 Jun, 2009 at 02:23 PM - Reply

i feel the boss needs to sort his team out 1st before he buys players cos wat happening players like diaby or senderos, treora the lEFT bACK, R THEY WANT WE NEED THE TEAM

fabisfab_17

Posted on 13 Jun, 2009 at 12:13 PM - Reply

The only way that Diaby can be compared to Viera, is his strengh, and the way he is built. Because in the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea he was awfull. he always let the ball go and he just seems to be to lazy when on the ball. Dreadfull compared to last season. But I wouldn't mind seeing him go on loan for a season and see what position, and how he plays there.

SamuraiPirateX

Posted on 13 Jun, 2009 at 11:14 AM - Reply

Does Diaby really fit in to the make up of our team?

I paid close attention to his performance during Cesc's absence, but I was unimpressed. He seems to have the ability but like you've said lacks the consistency. When Song slotted in closer to the end of the season I was must more impressed. Like Denilson he tends to have a quiet game but does a lot with what he has...give him a few years and I think we may be comparing him to Vieira?

Ramsey has shown class when he has played...i think he got the short end of the stick when we signed Arshavin. At that point we were thin on attacking midfielders (similar to Cesc in 2004/2005) and I was sure the boss would have given him a few starts off the bench at least. To be honest I'm not sure whether there will be any space on the bench for him next season...

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