Yes okay the fact is that Abou Diaby is on the list of Arsenal’s released players that was announced today, but Gooners should be aware that that doesn’t mean he WILL NOT be at the Emirates next season!
This list is for all players that are approaching the end of their current contracts without having put pen to paper on a new deal YET. There is still every chance that Wenger and Diaby are continuing free and frank discussions about his future as we speak.
Just two months ago, Wenger admitted that he was willing to give the 29 year-old a new contract, but it would have to be linked to him actually being available to play for the team. Arsene was quoted as saying: “By me, yes [a decision has been taken]. I had a chat with him and told him how I can envisage the future. He has to make a decision,”
“Of course he understands completely that he has to perform and to show that he can be present on a consistent way.
“I will see where we go from there. I wouldn’t like to go into details, we have to meet again to see where we go from what I told him. It has to be linked a little bit with his presence.”
Now it could be that Diaby has decided that he can only retire, or perhaps he has been approached by his old club PSG to move back to France (would he pass the medical lol) OR Arsenal and Diaby are still trying to agree terms on a new pay-per-play contract…
I don’t believe that we have seen the last of Diaby yet, and I won’t believe it until it has been confirmed by Wenger or the player himself …