You have to feel sorry for Abou Diaby. When he signed for Arsenal Football Club back in January 2006 as a 19-year old, Arsene Wenger clearly saw him as the natural successor to his fellow Frenchman and midfielder Patrick Vieira. And he was already starting to show that he could be when a horror tackle from Sunderland’s Dan Smith began the incredibly long series of injuries that have dogged Diaby ever since.
Wenger referred to that tackle again today in his pre match press conference for our way trip to face Sunderland, as reported by The Mirror. But the manager also revealed that the 28-year old would not be available to play yet again, as he is sidelined with yet another injury, this time a calf problem.
I was hoping and I’m sure that Wenger and Diaby were hoping, that this season might see the midfielder be able to feature in quite a few games. Wenger even suggested that he could really help the Gunners to solve the long running defensive midfield weakness, but it just has not happened.
And no matter how much the manager is pleased with his attitude, he will surely not extend Diaby’s contract when it runs out at the end of this season unless we get to see him play and play well, which I for one hope for. But realistically, have we perhaps seen the last of Diaby in an Arsenal shirt?