Arsene Wenger says that Abou Diaby could play for Arsenal this season after giving a positive update on the midfielder’s fitness.
The Frenchman could get a run out tonight for the U21s as they face Chelsea in the U21 Premier League at the Emirates.
He’s been back in training for a few weeks now and the manager said that it’s possible he could figure in the first team once he gets some playing time under his belt and he has no ill-effects from it.
Speaking to Arsenal Player, Wenger was asked if he could see Diaby figure again for the seniors, and said it was dependent on how well he came through the U21 fixture. The manager seems to have no issue with his physical fitness, saying “He is fit and ready”, but after so long out it’s a question of finding match sharpness, decision making and so on.
“Physically he’s ready to play, completely,” he said. “It’s just now decision making, getting used to challenges again. He needs a game.”
If he does make a comeback it would be his first game since March 2013, which would make you wonder if he’s going to sharp enough to have a real impact, but at this point of the season, the more the merrier.
LANS. That is all *grabs coat*
That new coat?
Like A New Signing*
Would you risk him being on the bench for FA Cup final and if we are winning 2-0 / 3-0 get him on as a sub just so he gets a medal? I would.
Doubt that kind of sentimentality would please another player who has slogged his bollock’s off all season and gets overlooked for someone who hasn’t played at all.
I Imagine Chesney might like a dose of that sentimentality..
and theo walcott
all three of them come on in the 93rd minute while we are winning 6-1
was gunna say, no rule to say he cant come on too, in general i think its very good news, more depth is never a bad thing and the blokes tall which makes a useful body in set peices . such a tragedy the poor guys injury career
To be fair, Diaby has ‘slogged his bollocks off’ himself for quite a while too. if hes in the squad it’ll be on merit, just like everyone else
If he is really as good as people say, then a good human being won’t really feel that way, even if he is a player.
“Good human being”
Get to fuck!
gar14 no worries then as he doesn’t have time to be in the team on merit. It’s more than sad about Diaby’s career being ruined by injuries and I hope he comes back and has a good season with us or any other team next season. A cup final position just doesn’t seam right but hey I’m not picking the team.
rohit have you ever played in any sports? I would be pretty pissed off if I missed out because we wanted to be kind hearted to someone who has not played all year.
Anil that reply has had me in tears all night im still laughing typing this priceless man priceless
So true Deano. Being injured for year upon year is so easy. Missing the best years of your career just gives you a chance to chill. Diaby has had it so easy. He clearly doesn’t have any drive. Not like these players who have been slogging it out.
GreekTragedy I’d like to know at what point I have ever said that Diaby has had it so easy? I’d like to know at what point I have ever said he is chilling? Seriously spare me that kind of sarcastic crap. As an amateur on a couple of occasions I broke my ribs, granted not anywhere near as bad as that diabolical leg break or many of the injuries he has received since. Yes it is very hard on a player when they are out injured but I think you are missing the point about the players that have got… Read more »
Seriously I would take being diaby over my shitty minimum pay life every single time.
You can’t feel that sorry for Diaby, he has set himself up for life without actually doing his job
Yes Deano, I’m aware you didn’t actually say those things, I exaggerated your thoughtless and ill thought out opinion to amplify just how rediculous it is. A player who has battled ongoing injuries for 7 seasons is the exact person I’d love to see play at Wembley. If anything Diaby deserves it more than anybody. Not many clubs would have given him the patience and rehab he has received and I’m very proud we stick by our players and I’m convinced Diaby is desperate to pay that back. No one has slogged it out more. ‘On a couple of occasions… Read more »
I think you all forget that he has made over 10 million while sitting on his arse
Diaby to score hat-trick in FA Cup final !!!!
Great Odin’s raven
Best of luck to him. Robbed of many great years by someone who is currently playing in the Australian Fifth Division.
What ?
You mean the call centre sacked him?
Haha I actually play Australian 5th Division. Adelaide University Soccer Club! Go the blacks!
Watchu talkin’ about Wenger?!
Its like signing a new player 🙂
Injury Gods, please let that be the final recurrence… a central midfield of Diaby & Ramsey is fapworthy….
With Hingle McCringleberry behind them now that worth it
Saying LANS is not funny, nor is it funny to make reference to how funny it is not by saying you’ll get your coat after saying LANS. Stop saying LANS everyone, it’s really, REALLY boring now.
LANS, LANS, LANS, LANS
LANS
LANSA!
LNAS, sorry I’m dyslexic.
LANS..? ._ . . _. ._.
SNAL!
Anyone who ‘disses’ Diaby needs to have a ‘put yourself in his shoes (boots)’ moment. Must be heartbreaking for any footballer to have a career so blighted by injury. My opinion it all stems back to the horror tackle at Sunderland all those years ago. When fit, Diaby is THE type of player we have been longing for. Let’s hope this is the final hurdle for Abou
can’t even remember the name of that black cat scum….any help?
I think it was Cock-Juggling Thundercunt.
Dan Smith? I think he was
I did my right knee, just cartilage, when I was 17, and even now 11-years-later it still feels a little off planting my right foot and moving the ball with my left. It’s hard enough to come back from one-injury, even the pretty simply something I did. Forget the gym work a moment, and there is a lot of it, but imagine the strength of mind it takes to repeatedly, almost year-after-year, recover the way Diaby has. His talent is obvious to the eye, but the heart and mind behind it are deserving of the utmost respect. Abou Diaby is… Read more »
arsenal medical team out!!!
I agree the guys been so unlucky and he had great potential – but we have to let him go. His presence in the squad WILL prevent Wenger from buying and we just can’t rely on diaby anymore.
Diaby got the knick name Diabolical for a reason and it’s because he’s not very good. It’s funny how an injury makes a player get exponentially better the longer he doesn’t play
No, he only got the name because it sounds similar to his name.
Just like Highbury the Library does, or
just like John the bloke who dislikes Diaby doesn’t.
It’s obvious that ‘john’ hasn’t seen him play a often (like most !).
Diaby’s had a few ‘stinkers’ until he gets some match fitness/sharpness but on the few occasions he’s had a run of games, he’s clearly very good. Decent tackler, runs at the opposition which creates space for others, and generally makes things happen (not always the way he wants it to). He’ll be a good addition to the squad if he can stay injury free for a change.
I’ve seen him probably every game he’s played and from what I remember is he’s poor in possession, dwells on the ball, can’t tackle and because he can’t string more than 3 games together looks like a complete novice and stranger to the rest of the team.
He’s a 27 year old with potential and for a club that has pretentions of winning league and champions league titles that’s unacceptable.
I would like to add that I’d have far more sympathy for him if he wasn’t part of a collection of part time footballers on the books. I have now lost all patience for specifically Diaby and Rosicky because I feel they are part of the gross mismanagement of the team over the last few season. As it’s been several now where our manager has placed player well being over the competitiveness of the team. Faith in either injured players or youngster and not wanting to “kill” x, y, or z’s career, when it was clear to anyone with eye’s… Read more »
Could
verb
1.
a simple past tense of can1 .
auxiliary verb
2.
(used to express possibility): I wonder who that could be at the door. Its Diaby!
3.
(used to express conditional possibility or ability): You could do it if you tried, Diaby
4.
(used in making polite requests): Could you please get fit, for me Abou, please?
5.
(used in asking for permission): Could I borrow your pen Abou?
@OorWullie LANS !!
I desperately hope he makes it back this time. He’s such a good player on his day. I hope he follows in Rosicky’s footsteps and finds a way to shake off the injury bug, even if it’s only to the point where he plays somewhat sparingly.
The guy has to be the unluckiest footballer ever. I hope he at least has a injury free season next year, then again wenger will probably be like “oh where you expecting a new DM singing yeah we ain’t gonna do that because Diaby will be like a new signing”
Didn’t you go this joke for April fools?
HE IS RISEN!
Bergkamp, or Welsh Jesus?
Yay, the Lesser-healthy Abou has been spotted and is ready to be integrated back into society! I’m relieved for three reasons. Firstly, the hell the poor chap has gone through to recover from injury after injury is crazy. I know many will say “he gets well paid” yadda yadda yadda but the fact is most would have given up trying to make it and retired. It would take a lot of mental strength to keep starting rehab from scratch, Secondly, when fit (ha!), he adds a completely different dimension to our squad with his height and drive and can be… Read more »
I read somewhere that Diaby did a Kaka and is refusing any wages until he is fit so, if it is true, then all those berating Arsenal for continuing to pay him need to have a rethink
Careful. You sound like a skysports pundit. “I read somewhere”……
But the sports pundits say that as an excuse when they want to make up a lie!
That is absolutely correct. The guy is class.
Diaby eaten cheyu special biscuits 😀
You give Diaby Penguin?
I like the lad, and feel really sorry for him for all his injuries. But where and when would he play? I would play any two of Arteta, Flamini, Wilshere, Ramsey, Chamberlain or Kallstrom over him in central midfield…. Depth is good though.
Nope, if ever fit Diaby would be better than all of them except Ramsey. He is the powerhouse we have been missing for years.
No he’s not! People keep comparing him with Vieira and the guy doesn’t know how to tackle to save his own life! What the hell are you on about “better than all of them”? I beg to differ! And just to add salt, remember how much time Ramsey needed to find his true form again? Imagine how long will Diaby take! Oh, and add his years in the equation. I really liked him when he started but let’s be realistic – unfortunately, he’s finished
P.S: Come on then, shower me with thumbs down even though you all know I’m right
couldn’t agree more, People just love coming up with the ” new so and so”
he’s nothing like Viera
I think you’re suffering from ‘Theo is shitter than when he came to Arsenal’ syndrome, you remember things from the early days and exaggerate them…people remembered Theo’s pace and finishing and forget how little impact he made at other times. You’re remembering a young guy who was new to the Premiership, lacked discipline and didn’t know how to impose himself on the game, whereas people who actually watched him in the last 4 years (I might have seen all 10 of his games in that time, not sure) have seen the progress and whilst he ain’t Vieira (no-one ever could… Read more »
COY-AD!
COYG!!!
He nearly knocked John Terry’s head off. That was cool.
If we had had him fit when Ramsey was out injured, we might still be in with a chance at the title. Let him get a few games under his belt and offer him a pay as you play contract.
Atleast he’s nearly back to playing football
Last chance saloon for Diaby I feel. Going to be too much competition for places next season. As good as he can be when fit it’s not enough in the modern game having players missing large chunks of the season. It’s bad enough with so many others with long term injuries. Time for wenger to make a tough decision .
The tough decision he should have made with RVP, Rosicky, Wilshire and Ramsey, you mean?
I must admit that I’m delighted he is back, maybe a good world cup, a fine pre season not hampered by injuries may do him some good and luckily we may have a taste of the player we’ve been missing come next season.
Are you deluded.
Why on Earth would France risk a valuable WC spot on a player who has not played in over a year?
Diaby will not play in this year’s World cup. Which is a good thing.
Nice to have him back, but he needs to learn how not to keep hold of the ball for too long and avoid unnecessary injuries.
You mean Wilshere.
So you’re saying Diaby’s to blame for getting his ankle shattered by that ubercunt Smith?
I hope Wenger give this guy a new contract considering that his current one is ending in a year time. However please do make it a pay as u play contract due to him being injury prone. If he is fit enough to play, I would be more than willing to pay. But hopefully Wenger would get another DM and not be fully dependent on Diaby. Diaby deserved to play considering the amount of mental strength he needs to return from so many setback. Arsenal and Arsene Wenger also deserve to have a fit and firing Diaby next season and… Read more »
Maybe, just maybe ,Diaby can do a Rosicky.
Diaby must have the footballing age of 19.
A pay-as-you-play contract would be a massive slap in the face to a man who has refused payment on his current contract while injured. Terrible idea. And why just pick on Diaby? Wilshere, Ramsey, and Walcott have all missed huge chunks of time with injuries. Should they go on pay-as-you-play as well?
Give your head a shake and clear out the cobwebs.
Like they only pay firemen when they actually put out a fire, or nurses when they save a life? Most of the people here get paid just for turning up and not fucking up. Why should Diaby be any different?
Im sure arsene would be willing to sell him to one of our rivals at some point. As with other players.
Really feel for the guy and his ongoing injuries. Hopefully hes past his nightmare and cand can do a job for us.
Then he will take a throw in and dislocate his shoulder. Out until March ’14.
Ugh. 2014. I’m sure I wrote that bad joke in 2013.
Did you know that Mesut Ozil plays for us now?
I;ll stop bringing my boots to games then 🙁
Would love to see Diaby get a a game, have a proper pre season and some game time next season with proper rotation.
Has anyone seen the case for my rose tinted glasses anywhere?
Please sell this guy, its a disgrace he has nicked a living for so long.
I bet he gets injured on thursday.
https://www.facebook.com/ArsenalTransfersAnalysis/posts/349788941823709
Betting on a player getting injured is a great way to show your support for the club
Who says he supports our club? Surely only nice people support Arsenal.
Hopefully he can stay healthy through summer, maybe a 100% fully fit training camp will make him less injury prone. I have absolutely no idea if that has any correlation what so ever but it would be great for him and for the club if it worked. I have a really hard time seeing us bend over and take it from Chelski with Ramsey and Diaby in midfield.
This ISN’T going to happen.
I would love to see him back.
And if you disagree, watch this – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6khpoTY6oQ
anyone got a live stream for the u21 match?
We still have to play Newcastle….Fuck we could play Bendtner against that lot!!
Just put fifty quid on him being hit by a meteroite on the training ground before the end of the season. Only got 3/1.
I love Abou Diaby. He is risen, and he shall play, and his passes will be good.
Abou would work through the injury to stand up and toss the twat to the ground like he did Barton….but watch out for the red card.:P That Newcastle game summed it up. he was excellent for us adding bite and we were 4 up. But I believe we lost Djourou and got depleted at the back. Then Abou did the stupid and reacted to the cunt Barton. Sans the extra man and crucially protection from Diaby, we were at sea and Le Nouveau Castle (and the media) celebrated a draw against ten men as if they had won a trophy….wait… Read more »
[a fit] Abou Vasiriki Diaby with Aaron James Ramsey at central is purified niceness. Gimme that shit, Arsene.
Who the hell would have the balls to tackle Diaby, knowing that Flamini would fucking blind them if he hurt him!
Most disappointing player we’ve had? So much potential, but injured far, far too often.
No.
He is an excellent player and was just coming good defensively as well.
What’s disappointing is his injury record which isn’t his fault.
Don’t know where he could feature though. Arteta and Flamini have Kallstrom for back up. Ramsey will want to play as many minutes as possible. Ozil is back too. When fit, we have a large squad. Which is why those who keep harping on about our depth are talking nonsense. really the only deficiency at the moment is up top. We were hit hard in one area (attacking midfield) but we have enough options to rival City in other areas. Diaby would still be a reasonable age to figure in midfield (particularly if Arteta left), bearing in mind Flamini (and… Read more »
The other issue that always bugs me is this whole thing about us being a team of small men. We are not that small. Metersecker, Giroud, Sanogo, Diaby, Kallstrom, Jenkinson are all above 6’1 Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Ozil, Podolski are all 6′ Arteta, Monreal, Flamini, Ramsey are 5’10+ (which is average) Rosicky is 5’9+ The shorties are Chambo, Walcott, Gnabry, who are all wingers. And of course Santi…perhaps he brings the average down significantly but that should be balanced off with BGF surely. We’re not orcs but we are not short on height either. This is another myth constantly perpetuated… Read more »
When has all the tall players played in a match together?
Has Sanogo, Diaby, Kallstrom, Jenkinson played in any match together?
And who ever said Ozil/Gibbs is 6 foot?
Arteta is 5’9
Height is needed especially in central midfield, Arteta/Flammini cant cut it, nor Wilshere.
A three match shop window for diaby. could have been a fine arsenal player but thats not gonna happen now. i wish him well for next season but i hope he is not taking up a space in our squad because i have no faith that he will be fit for purpose.
The mental toughness this guy has developed as a result of fighting for his career and his dream will serve him well one day. Hats of the you Abou for not giving up on your dream. Lesser men would have walked away with half the struggle he has endured. I’ll like to him meet his potential
If Diaby convinces Wenger enough between now and the end of the season then maybe we wont need to enter the transfer market in the summer for a top class defensive midfielder after all? Don’t know about you but wouldn’t it be great if we could save a few million pounds by avoiding the over-inflated post-world cup feeding frenzy? Come on Abou, prove to Wenger that we don’t need a DMC this summer!!!
Can’t say I’m happy about this. Love diaby, but if he is fit then I can’t see Wenger getting a big strong, tall midfielder that we need for next season. I only hope Diaby an actually stay fit next year….
HEY, CAN ANYONE REMEMBER WHEN WE HAD OUR YOUTH TEAM GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FINALS OF THE CARLING CUP VERSUS CHELSEA. ANYONE REMEMBER WHO THE BEST PLAYER ON THAT PITCH WAS THAT DAY…… WELL UP UNTIL HIS FOOT COLLIDED WITH JOHN TERRY’S FACE AND WENT OFF INJURED. YESSSS IT WAS THAT GUY ABOU DIABY… DRAGGING THE TEAM TO THAT CARLING CUP AND THOSE MEDALS. SO IF HE WERE BROUGHT IN FOR THE LAST FIVE SECONDS AND GETS A MEDAL I WOULD HAVE NO PROBLEMS…. BUT HEAR WHAT I DOUBT DIABY WOULD WANT TO PLAY ONLY 5 SECONDS, RECEIVE… Read more »
Just shouting…
Will people stop saying we need another DM even with Diaby.
He isn’t a DM, never has been a DM, never will be a dm. He is slightly more Bo’s to box linking mid to att or he has even been used off the striker.
He isn’t a fucking DM and his tackling isn’t even that great.
Not a DM!…
I think Diaby is world class box to box midfielder. A midfield of Ramsey, Diaby- Walcott, Ozil, Podolski. Would not look too horrible hopefully
Who? Just kidding! However Abou is the ultimate Bad Luck Brian…