Abou Diaby has yet to play for Arsenal this season having undergone ankle surgery during the summer. It was expected that he would return at the end of September, yet here we are at the start of the November and there’s still no sign of him.
His name has become something of a byword for injury at the club and Arsene Wenger admitted in his press conference yesterday that he was worried about the Frenchman. There have been genuine concerns over his career for some time now and speaking ahead of the Marseille game Wenger said, “You won’t see him for a while, the next three weeks. He will not play for France either. I am worried but I was more worried three months ago.”
The manager explained that the effects of his surgery have caused further problems, saying, “His ankle was not good but the surgery went very well then. Now his balance has changed so he has to adjust his muscular strength. He has had two small muscular concerns and if he can get rid of them in the next two to three weeks he will be ready. It’s a good time to get him right as we have a two-week break after Saturday”.
As frustrating as it is to have a player who cannot remain fit for any prolonged period of time, perhaps there ought to be more sympathy for a player whose career has been shattered by the Dan Smith tackle back in May 2006. The Sunderland player, now call-centre worker, destroyed Diaby’s right ankle, fracturing and dislocating it. He didn’t make his comeback until January 2007.
Since then he has suffered at least 28 different injuries all of which have stemmed from the damage done by that wild tackle. Nor has Diaby been helped by finding himself on the receiving end of tackles like the one below from West Brom’s Paul Robinson:
Or this one by Michael Essien, during last season’s game at Stamford Bridge, which have simply compounded his problems. Arseblog News was told that despite Diaby doing as much as possible behind the scenes to help prevent muscular injuries – including taking up yoga – his right ankle is like that of a player coming to the end of his career. Not a guy who is just 25 years old.
If, on the one hand, we can applaud and welcome the recovery of Aaron Ramsey, himself a victim of a mindless, thuggish assault on the football pitch, then for all the frustration we ought not to direct ire at Diaby for not being so lucky. He might never make it back, or if he does he might well struggle to maintain the required level. Yet if he fails to realise the obvious potential, don’t blame the player, it won’t be his fault.
You can blame Dan Smith instead.
Very well said.
We all seem to find it easy to joke that there will be a commemorative statue of Diaby in the new Arsenal medical centre, the reality is he has been robbed of the prime of his career.
Why is it less attention is given to the Dan Smith tackle than the Taylor or Shawcross ones? Is it the absence of gory pictures for the back pages?
It’s the absence of Diaby’s popularity. A shame, since Diaby does look like a nice guy.
Dan Smith’s a bit of a cunt.
A pure cunt I would say. Not just a bit
I really feel for Diaby, I would for any player in his position but to see the potential he had it would be a travesty if he can’t play again.
Dan Smith… Karma’s a wonderful thing.
Essien already enjoying the karma.
Is he working as a fudge packer now?
The more I see tackles like this the more the punishment has to fit the crime. If a player is out for three months then the corresponding tackler should be banned for an equivilant time. A three game ban or even a yellow card is nothing.
I’m very sad about Diaby. I miss him.
What a player he could have been – and hopefully will still be.
The Thierry Henry of the midfield.
The only way opponents can stop him when he’s on form is by putting him on the sidelines.
Ran the Carling Cup Final in 2007 against a very, very strong Chelsea midfield.
Hope we get to see Song, Diaby and Wilshere as a three sometime soon.
sad
Everytime I think of Diaby, I genuinely am brought almost to tears. You will find very few players with the strength, balance and close control that Diaby possessed and the potential it had. He had real raw talent. He was lazy but that’s something that can be ironed out over time. Look at Zlatan at 23. Hell look at Zlatan now. This poor guy has been robbed of playing at this level because of the action of others less able. As Wenger correctly called it recently, these men are cowards. Dan Smith, you chief amongst them. I hope you stay… Read more »
I know Dan Smith eventually ended up in a call centre but does anyone know if there were any comments at the time from Sunderland management after he was effectively dropped from the team. Was the GBH on Diaby directly given as a reason, or did it all happen pretty quietly.
Seems like they made the right call in the end I know Kevin Ball initially supported him…”he’s not a dirty player, bla bla bla”
Genuinely, Does anyone know?
I don’t think he’s even close to being important enough for anyone to know. At the time there was no condemnation from Sunderland about the tackle so that says enough I think
Ok thanks!
hopefully he’ll be like persie and get his injuries behind him and become the player we know he can be
Diaby is a player I really thought could do great things. Maybe if we all cross our fingers really hard and ask Santa for one really special present for Arsenal then Diaby will make a miraculous recovery and he will be the colossus of the midfield he showed promise to be. I agree with Mo, the TH14 of the midfield. His surging runs were fantastic, I remember a a goal against Liverpool ( at Anfield ) in the game we were robbed out of in the CL QF a few years back. He cut in from the left to the… Read more »
Toure it was! What a match that was. My favorite Diaby moment was his goal against villa a couple of seasons back, lovely little one two down the left hand side
Correction, I believe it was the right hand side….
I’m not sure that Smith is the main culprit. • I blame refs like Dowd who allowed the tackle from Barton just before Diaby was sent off against Newcastle; or Probert who allowed the Ridgeway tackle on Theo that lead to 3 months out injured • I blame the FA for not doing something about this thuggery • I blame the League Managers Association for not insisting that thuggery is punished strongly enough that it is curtailed • I blame the club for not running a PR campaign to make the FA act against thuggery • I blame influential bloggers… Read more »
Although this is maybe true the lack of regret for style of play from the Smith’s and Taylor’s of the world is disgraceful. The ‘it was an accident’ and ‘he’s not a dirty player card’ is a too often used excuse.
So all these people, including me, are more to blame than the bloke who actually destroyed his ankle?
Get a grip.
How long is this guy under contract anyway?
No need to get upset guys. Asking a genuine question here an i do rate Diaby as a player. But Arsenal Football Club is not a sheltered workshop to keep people of the streets.
If someone is not up to Premier League football, maybe we have to cut our losses. The man is still picking up a huge paycheck every week. More than most of us make in a year.
Do you not also think there’s an argument that showing we support players in the long term is a way of attracting and keeping the best players because we may not offer the most money but there is also long term security.
I’m sure that played a part in Vermaelen’s decision to extend his contract and will hopefully play on the mind of VP this summer.
@ A. Ofcourse, but Both Vermealen and Van Persie showed they can still compete at the highest level, a lot of people here question the same with Diaby.
But Vermaelen and van Persie haven’t had the same area targeted with almost every tackle. Is a coincidence that pretty much every tackle you see is always on the same weakened ankle? I doubt it very much. How do you stop a talented player coming back, take him out again. Luckily though, Wenger is the manager and shows patience with his players. By your logic we should have got rid of Ramsey (as there was no way of knowing if he’d get back up to speed), Rosicky (who is now becoming better after changing his game) and maybe we should… Read more »
This is particularly sad. I really hope that he recovers and comes back to his best. When he’s on form (and fit) his control of the midfield is a fantastic thing to watch.
If he never really comes back to fitness, it will be a shame we declined that 10m bid in the summer.
But maybe there wasn’t a 10m bid for him in the 1st place.
Dan Smith is an absolute poorly talented cunt. Despite being lazy (perhaps caused by that debilitating tackle), Diaby is technically gifted, some times called the Black Zidane. he is so magical with the ball, and had a good shot. But cunt Smith shattered all that.
quick recovery Diaby
Lets not write the fella off just yet. AW certainly hasn’t. I hope Abou will be back with The Cannon on his chest for a great career. No reason why not, I hope. Isn’t it interesting to see all clips of the Dan Smith challenge have been removed from video sites for ‘copyright’ reasons (ie no money in it for them) by the PL. Meantime, though admirably vigorous in asserting their monetary claims on any footage, what action does the same PL take against the serial leg breakers the footage features? Ask the current captain of Stoke City Football Club… Read more »
Dan Smith is lucky a lucky chap, if it were someone like me he that he had done that to, and my career was subsequently in doubt, what with all my footballers money, I would have paid someone to have him taken out by now.
Hang on a minute, this is the same Diaby who most bloggers slag off every time he puts the shirt on now as soon as someone writes a heartfelt piece on him you all jump on the love in band wagon, didn’t Diaby say last season he wanted to play for Barcelona? And that was during the time those cunts were relentlessly pursuing fabregas, short memories some people.
True. However, no matter how much you hate a player, you don’t wish him a shattered future or any such thing! Moving to an opponent or performing below expectations is one thing, being forced to end one’s career due to mad tackle that hardly gets the scrutiny of a biased punditry is another!
“He never meant to hurt Diaby. He’s not that type of player.”
BULLSHIT. If someone shatters someone else’s leg they’re taking the fucking piss.
Anyways, gotta feel sorry for this guy. I wonder if he’s about to miss the boat for his footie career.
I’ve always hated Diaby for the way he plays for Arsenal, but I now know that’s out of ignorance. Fuck Dan Smith for doing the Diaby’s anckle bad.
From now on Dan Smith is a CUNT
Yes I’m sorry, I am quite a big cunt aren’t I. Well I am fully prepared to lay down and let Diaby re-enact ‘that’ scene from Misery as payback on my sorry ass.
If you want to call me to arrange this you can reach me on 0800 123123.
Wtf are you doing on this blog, ur supposed to be working Dan???
The phones have been ringing for the last 5mins!!!!
And when the hell did ur lazy ass play football?? is this some kind of joke!!!
Either way i told you updating youur facebook status whilst at work was your final warning, ur P45 is in the post. U fucking cunt!!!
Clubs who have violent, floorlicking, drooling lumbering cunts like this, who’s reckless tackles injure players, putting them out for long periods i.e. a leg break, should be made to pay at least some rehabilitation costs or even some of the player’s wages.
Perhaps then certain clubs wouldn’t overly entertain the idea of signing players who like to lick their own reflections.
Now that’s a great idea, in all sincerity. But it will never happen.
I’m all for outpourings of sympathy for this player who through no fault of his own has likely seen his career ended, but let’s be honest with ourselves about how we felt about him when he was playing. There were many times when it was quite fashionable for us to slag Diaby, even granting that he could barely string together enough games to get match fit. Are we admitting we were wrong to do so? Is that what this is about? I’m all for that, too, but I’m also thinking this may be a case of the longer a player… Read more »
I think it just shows how little perspective we have as fans sometimes. We’re all guilty of jumping on bandwagons, judging these boys as either shit or gods, sometimes both over the space of a few games!
The fact these kids make ridiculous money blows expectations all out of proportion.
The main problem is young players with potential are instantly compared to finished articles who have years of experience by fans and the media in equal measure. Song is always compared to Essien despite the latter being what, 5-6 years older than him. Clichy and now Gibbs are compared to Ashley Cole despite Asshole being 6-7 years older than Gibbs. Wilshere, despite only being 19, has already been compared to a Gascoigne in his peak. That’s about 7-8 years away…… This gives off the impression that our players aren’t as good as others and should instantly be better but they… Read more »
Out of the three leg breaks we have suffered, I always thought the Smith one was the worst as it seem malicious, whereas the other two were reckless. It was a senseless piece of thuggery, Sunderland were 3 down, last few minutes of the game and put Diaby out the CL final. The lack of media outrage was shameful, imagine if it had been Rooney.
Did you know Dan Smith is an anagram of ‘damn shit’. Very appropriate.
It’s sad that his career has taken this horrible turn and it is really similar to what Dean Ashton went through. If he can’t come back to full fitness without the injury flaring up again he may have to hang up his boots for the sake of his health.
Writing as a guy who had his ankle shattered (both bones broken and the ankle dislocated) I can tell you this is not an easy thing to come back from. You literally forget how to walk. You muscle memory evaporates and you have to learn how to work those muscles in the same way a newborn does. To top it all, you lose form because you can’t do much cardio with your ankle in a cast, and worst of all for a football player you’re dealing with the very muscles, tissues, tendons, bones with which you make a living. I… Read more »
crikey, sorry to hear about your pains. And it does give some perspective on what Diaby has been enduring over the last few years.
I think Dan Smith (Damn Shit – hah!) should be condemned, but so should Paul Robinson. At the time of that tackle, I believe there was very little outrage. And when you then think about what happened with the criminal Barton at the 4-4 Newcastle game, you see exactly why Diaby reacted the way that he did. I’m not excusing it, but I understand it.
I’m in the same boat, Cromulus, (triple-fracture and dislocation in my case) the trauma on the ankle and to the mind is significant. As much as you want to go out there and be the player you know you could be… well, the mind is willing but the ankle just won’t let you do the things you’d like to. I hope he comes back and can do the club, and himself, proud.
Didn’t he say he would love to play for barca? also, he has a shirt of tottenham hotspurs(arsenal’s cum)?? He’s a good player on his day but if and when he gets a good run out and performs and all the moneybags come calling then and only then it will be his real test of character. Get well soon diaby. “his right ankle is like that of a player coming to the end of his career. Not a guy who is just 25 years old.” That added quite an effect. So basically ur saying arsene wenger and whole management team… Read more »
You mean the shirt that was given to him by a friend? Do you throw all your gifts away that you don’t like?
Also, i’m not even sure most people know what you’re trying to say in your last paragraph as it has no connection to the quote….
Thanks, guys. And Tenaciousdee, good luck coming back. You’re absolutely right about the physical and mental aspect of the injury.
I was never a big Diaby fan, but I feel for him. And in an odd way, I feel for Dan Smith too. It can’t be good walking through life feeling like you ruined somone’s career. Only the worst shitheels can possibly feel good about such things.
I seem to recall that Smith’s challenge was in 2nd half stoppage time in a match they had already lost. I also recall that Diaby’s dirt forays into the squad prior to the injury made many supporters feel that the loss of Vieira to Juventus did not matter as Diaby looked to be the same player. Did I dream that?
As others have noted, many, many people have been baying for his blood on here.
I reckon he has top quality and I really hope he’s able to come back and play for us.
No question that Diaby will come back. But whether he can play 50 games a season for Arsenal, i’m afraid i’m not too optimistic on that. Still, if he can make the most out of those games he plays, scores important goals that drives us to titles, he can still be an Arsenal legend. There are gifted players who are fit every season that nobody remembers.
Man, we would be seeing a great Diaby Injury Compilation at this rate. It’s a shame for him. Poor lad.
Let’s not forget that this guy broke Snjeider’s leg and is known for tackling badly himself. He has an awful temperament, which was around before the Dan Smith tackle (witness that video of him trying to attack Hatem Ben Arfa over nothing at all when they were in a French academy). Some of his problems are down to the ankle, some of them are down to problems in his character and his understanding of the game. And when he comes back, after the first bad game he has, the sentiment will instantly wear off and you’ll all be saying exactly… Read more »
that is such a ridiculous statement, ben arfa is a notorious diva and there’s absolutely no way to tell who’s right in the argument from that video. so you have no basis for what you’re saying about his character. .and its sooo typical and very pathetic for supposed Arsenal fans to be hating on one of our players who may never get to play again. shows how shitty some people out there really are
i’ve always thought that he had some of the biggest potential of the benzema generation of young french players. its a shame that he hasn’t been able to show his obvious quality more often in an Arsenal shirt