Reports are doing the rounds that the unfortunate Diaby will be given a pay-as-you-play deal. The French dynamo with his physicality once reminded all of us of the Arsenal legend and former captain Patrick Viera. Robust, intuitive passes and a joystick-like control over the midfield.
This is what made him a diminutive asset for both Wenger and Les Bleus. Didier Deschamps, current French National team boss and OM legend said “Diaby at peak of his powers is the first name on my playing eleven list”.
This was when two years back Diaby had returned to the national side after just coming back from injury. Two years down the line and it looks like the likes of Pogba and Kondogbia will fill Diaby’s boots.
Geoffrey Kondogbia is now a familiar name in Arsenal fans’ heart and soul. Another day that deflection would have gone out for a corner but Arsenal’s round of 16 woes continued.
In that first leg Kondogbia’s presence in the midfield made Arsenal pass sideways rather than their upfront tiki-taka. When they tried to do it the wall of Kondogbia had other ideas.
Kondogbia along with Joao Moutinho was able to keep the three amigos of Ozil, Cazorla and Alexis quiet. Closing them down ferociously and making them hurry their passes.
At 6ft 2 in he is the perfect choice for adding height to Arsenal’s midfield. Though he has to work on his body strength further to be anywhere near his fellow countryman Patrick Viera.
His highlight this season was his virtuoso display against Juventus in quarter finals against eventual UCL finalists Juventus. He was everywhere winning tackles, closing down and creating chances.
Kondogbia this season in Ligue 1 has made total 304 passes with 84% of them successful. Out of 84% of his passes, 75% have been forward. This shows his potential and raw attacking ability.
In 25 Ligue 1 matches this season he has won 53% of his tackles and 61% of his headed duels. But I doubt he would be able to replicate these numbers against the likes of Stoke and Palace.
Another thing which concerns me is foul rate. It shows his craving to go into offensive positions and weakness in acting as a shield for Monaco’s fragile back. Fragile because against top-class opponents they have been lucky in the league and UCL to not concede a whole lot more.
Our Verdict:
At £25m he is overvalued and the EPL dynamo Schneiderlin, available at a similar price, would be a better buy. He is promising but if the Arsenal aim is to win the Premier League and break the recent UCL hoodoo then we can certainly do better.
Very much agree about signing Schneiderlin before anyone else. No brainer to sign him really.
Diaby never proved to be fit . he is a very fragile player even when he was younger. Arsenal released many better players and there is no sense to keep Diaby and Arsenal should replaced him this summer.