An interview with Walcott suggests his return to full first team training is imminent. No relapse has been noted and he seems to be totally over the injury. There was a video of him running and he doesn't look like he has lost any speed! The article suggested he will return to first team action within the month of September and that it is most likely he will return to the starting line-up against Tottenham on the 27th. I think this is great news. Walcott and Sanchez either side of any of our CF options is a frightening prospect for opposition defences. And if he is back in time to terrorise Tottenham then all the better! (Worth noting we also have Welbeck and Sanogo who have some pace about them to complete that lightning fast front line, which I'm looking forward to!) Something else I noticed whilst reading up about Walcott where some recent training pictures showing both Walcott and Diaby training. This suggests to me that Diaby is not injured and we are just being overly cautious with the way we manage and train him before he gets back into playing for us. Again I think this is good news as Diaby could make a difference for us even if he only string 10 games together! Oh and while I'm at it, looks like Arteta will be back for the City game. please log in to view this image
Diaby has been playing 45 minutes in reserve games recently so he's further ahead than Theo. TBH having either fully fit is a real bonus for us. Both have the ability to make the starting 11 and Diaby offers a whole new dimension compared to our other midfielders. TBH though, his injury records is so p*ss poor that any game he plays is a bonus.
Yeah I see Diaby as a luxury. When he is fit he is good enough to make a real difference and to break into our starting line up. None of our other midfielders have the same attributes as him. But he has a ridiculous injury record. So every game he plays is a bonus. I always say we shouldn't make plans around Diaby, but when he is fit he is a great player to have available for use.
I'm not getting too excited by Diaby's return. He has to play at least 3-4 games on the trot for me to put my head up and notice. But he is a player that will make a significant impact no question.
The last run that Diaby had in teh team I remeber his play being slow and dithering, racked by low-confidence. If he does come back and gets a run of games I think he will get better if he plays in a winning team, so he can enjoy playing. Let's hop it works out well for him and Arsenal.
Yup that's the pic of Walcott and diaby that gave me the idea for the thread and the picture I mention in the op
