We really need Diaby back now, and I'm going to explain why. I think some pundits touched on it recently about all our attacking midfielders being very similar players, i.e. they can all pass the ball well. However, something that they are lacking is direct play. They want other people to make runs and then find them, without ever running into space themselves. Especially with a striker like van Persie, this leaves us with a bunch of attackers who want to pass the ball, with only our wingers wanting to run into space. This makes it very easy to defend against us. What Diaby offers is direct running at the opposition defence and runs into space. He needs to be deployed behind the striker and then he is at his best. He is not like Vieira. Diaby is an attacking midfielder, very much like Yaya Toure was last season but with more dribbling skills. He will open up opposition defences by running from midfield. Some may say that we didn't have this problem last year, but that was because Fabregas or Nasri (whichever played centrally) also made runs forwards and gave more direct play as well as passing it when needed. Without these two, to keep our 3-man midfield working, we need a defensive midfielder (Diaby), a deep-lying playmaker (Arteta or Wilshere) and a direct attacking midfielder (Diaby). Now you may say that he isn't good enough for Arsenal, but thats because mostly he was played as a defensive midfielder when Song was injured due to his size, not because he could play well in that position. He needs to play attacking, and whenver he has done that he has gone on a run of good performances and played well. If he is fit for Sunderland (he is meant to be back after the international break) then we should line up like this, with only Vermaelen, Sagna and Wilshere injured: ------------------Szczesny------------------ --Jenkinson--Koscielny--Mertesacker--Gibbs-- ---------------Song------Arteta------------- -Walcott-----------Diaby-----------Gervinho- ------------------v.Persie-------------------- Fabianski, Djourou, Santos, Coquelin, Ramsey, Arshavin, Chamakh. If he is still injured, we should still keep this formation and play Arshavin in that attacking role. This is his best position and although he isn't as direct as Diaby, his range of passing is better and he would also do very well. However, because Wenger likes Ramsey, we will play in that same old formation of Ramsey there, and the passing will be slow and cumbersome and if we do win it will be because of a flukey goal from Mertesacker from a corner.
I think Arshavin would flourish more in that role. He likes to take it passed players too. He has a fiercer shot too and will be more mobile in the opposition box.
Diaby as defensive mid and attacking mid?! But this just goes to show how wrong people were complaining about Diaby, Denilson etc they may not of been the best, but they got us in the top 4 even tho denilson was shoved into the team before he was ready and forced to play al season!
I concur, provided the good version of Diaby turns up. This is last-chance saloon type times for him. He has all the abilities to be a great player. I'd play him, since I haven't been impressed with Ramsey so far this season. If he's fit, give him a go, and lets hope the right Diaby shows up.
Diaby could be a very important player for arsenal, the problem is he's never fit and our medical staff are obviously incompetant.
The guy will never be able to complete a full season, he's a crock and ankle injuries are virtually incureable, once damaged or weakened they are prone to repeat injury. Lots of talent, questionable mentality though so I dont think he is the answer but he can hopefully be an asset, God knows he's taken enough of our cash without giving much back.
A player in this position needs at least some brain. The guy can not pass, loses his concentration every 5 min and has scored 20 goals in his last 10 years of club football. That is 2 goals per season on average. I wish him well, but do not believe there is still some potential here. I am amazed he is in France squad, to be honest. What does it say about all those McVillas, Gourcoffs & Co that we are all craving about?
He can pass, he can quite easily hold off/dribble past 3 players at a time, he has height, strength, and directness which we don't have from any other player If he was constantly fit he would really be the player that fits in with the old style arsenal invincible style of size,strength, speed, technical ability, directness a midfield 3 of him song/frimpong and Wilshere would be great, Wilshere with the passing, dribbling and tough battling direct style, diaby with the same, and song/pong staying back and defending
Diaby has always had the talent and has put in some solid performances for the club, I would like to see him, if fit, to take Ramsey's place in the team. Ramsey has been frustrating this season.
I hope he makes it but lets be honest this should be his last season at Arsenal if he does not get over this injury. But he is another Wenger project so expect him to start next season like this one.
