Robin no longer believes in the Joker
By Joe Fitzpatrick
Do you?
When Arsène Wenger was asked to comment on the potential signing of Rennes defensive midfielder Yann M'Vila, he raised quite a few eyebrows with his response. The Arsenal manager was quoted as saying “No. We wait for [Abou] Diaby and [Jack] Wilshere. When he is fit, Diaby is the first name on the French team sheet. When you look, we have Alex Song, Aaron Ramsey, Francis Coquelin, Diaby, Wilshere and Mikel Arteta. We are not short if Diaby and Wilshere are coming back. If we have setbacks in pre-season, it could be different.” Arsène Wenger is clearly willing to take one more gamble on the suspect fitness of Abou Diaby rather than spend £15 million on a player that few people doubt would significantly improve Arsenal's defensive midfield options.
Smile - Diaby is coming back
Wenger's claim that Abou Diaby would be "the first name on the French team sheet" is contentious at best. The fact that even the Frenchman had to use the caveat phrase "when he is fit", perfectly sums up the ridiculousness of his perfectly silly statement. We all know Diaby is going to break down sooner rather than later, and it is my personal opinion that the big Frenchman is only one slightly naughty tackle away from early retirement anyway. I am no mystic Meg or Derren Brown, but the fact remains that if I know that Diaby won't play 25 games for the Arsenal first team this season, and you also know that Abou Diaby won't play 25 games for the Arsenal first team this season, then can somebody please explain to me how on earth Arsène Wenger does not know this?
The answer to this must surely be that Wenger knows perfectly well that Diaby is just a mediocre crock, but he is deliberately finding excuses for not spending any of Kroenke's precious money. Wenger knows full well that he is never going to be able to sell Diaby because of his terrible injury record, so he is hyping the player up as a smokescreen for his frugal transfer policy. Rather than spending £15 million, plus substantial wages, on Yann M'Vila, Arsène Wenger is willing to gamble the entire season on the fitness of a player to whom he is already paying substantial wages. This daft decision is obviously being made for purely economic reasons, because if Arsène Wenger truly believes his own bulls**t this time, we should get him sectioned immediately.
My assessment of Abou Diaby is that he regularly gets caught in possession, he slows down the tempo of our passing game because of his technical limitations, and he doesn't seem to tackle or score very often. I'm sorry if I'm ranting, but I just don't understand the point of Abou Diaby! He admits to wearing a Tottenham shirt indoors while he's watching his mate Kaboul on the television, and some of his performances for us over the years have got me wondering as to whether or not he is some kind of scummy double agent. Call me old-fashioned, but I like to see my central-midfielders to, you know, break a sweat and maybe even (heaven forbid!) make the odd crunching tackle or score the occasional goal! It is my opinion that Abou Diaby will never be part of a Premiership winning team, and it is due to woeful players such as him infesting our squad like vile little cockroaches that Fabregas and Van Persie no longer believe in Arsène Wenger's grand vision for Kroenke's Arsenal.
Arsenal are not trying to win the Premiership on the cheap. They are trying to finish inside the top four on the cheap, and the truly world-class players are not going to settle for that.
For all the "Batman and Robin" analogies that flew around the web at the tail-end of last season, I find it amusing that no one came forward to christen Arsène Wenger as "the Joker" because if he honestly believes that About Diaby is going to be lifting the Premier league trophy anytime soon, he truly is away with the fairies. He must be Joking, surely?
2nd August 2012
User Comment and Reaction
User comments on this article are now closed. If you want to continue the debate, why not do so on the Gooner Forum.
Joe 5:59am 2nd Aug 2012
To be honest your one of the idiots who probably thought the same about RVP up till 18 mths ago. And yeah your probably one of the idiots that also know how to run and manage a football team better than wenger. - Post No. 27361
tom 6:08am 2nd Aug 2012
I remember similar things being said about RVP when he spent 6 yrs plagued with injury scoring very few goals and being derided as a lightweight. AW sees him everyday in training we don't . Let's see what this season brings. - Post No. 27362
keeming@gmail.com 6:22am 2nd Aug 2012
"the fact remains that if I know that Diaby won't play 25 games for the Arsenal first team this season, and you also know that Abou Diaby won't play 25 games for the Arsenal first team this season, then can somebody please explain to me how on earth Arsène Wenger does not know this?" Substitute "Diaby" for "Van Persie" for last season and you have your answer. And I would say buying Carzola and Podolski is showing enough ambition. Yann M'Vila Yann M'Vila Yann M'Vila Have you even seen him play? Mario Bolatti and Capoue did very well for my FM Arsenal btw, would you like to buy them too? - Post No. 27365
dan 6:23am 2nd Aug 2012
Well the days must simply fly by when ur about! What a comedian! The joker? Pffft. Awhat a typically pathetic piss poor effort from a blog that might as well be a spud one... - Post No. 27366
Gunner 6:29am 2nd Aug 2012
Agree totally on the fact that diaby wont last the full season! but if he does and get a full season under his belt i beleive what wenger says. - Post No. 27367
Kockney Krout 6:42am 2nd Aug 2012
Welll here I am in taxi going through Holland tunnel at 2am reading latest online gooner editorial- yes obsessed! Cant agree more. Its the same. B...ll..cks every summer. But cos im obsessed by Arsenal, I' be searching again for that good news signing again in the morning- as I've been doing since Brady left in 80! - Post No. 27369
AJ 6:53am 2nd Aug 2012
Joe, it wouldn't surprise people in the slightest if you wear a Spurs shirt when indoors too. Did you just happen to forget that the club is after two midfielders - one in attack and one in defense (Cazorla and Sahin) or do you just omit to mention it because it doesn't suit your agenda? Arsene Wenger has to work towards getting quality players to the club within his budget so its not surprising that he says one thing ("we are stocked in midfield") and does another (sign a new midfielder/s). Signing Giroud while maintaining that RvP will stay at the club is another example. These examples are not new to you but acknowledging it as proof of the club's or the manager's intention is something you are not ready to do because it doesn't fit in with yours or the Online Groaner's agenda. - Post No. 27370
double98 6:55am 2nd Aug 2012
I think its a bit trite to suggest that wenger is gambling entirely on the fitness of diaby. He mentions several players that can play that deep lying mf role. Diaby has been either exceptional or off the pace but we have only ever seen him in the context of fabregas. Wenger rates him highly enough that "if fit" he will be the first name on the arsenal team sheet. Rvp had injury issues for 8 years before he came good. Maybe this is Diabys year. If he.gets through preseason then that is a major positive. If he gets injured then wenger may buy. But we have the deepest midfield in the pl. Arteta, song, coq, frimpong, wilshire, rosicky, Robin is the joker. Leaving because arsenal show no ambition. In the summer when arsene invests more heavily in the squad than ever. If you can't support the team that wenger picks unless you have a direct say in it then you are not a supporter - Post No. 27371
nobby 6:59am 2nd Aug 2012
He said "on the French team sheet in midfield". At least get the quote right, otherwise it might just look like you're trying to score points! Misery loves company and there's plenty on here. - Post No. 27372
Davi 7:12am 2nd Aug 2012
I think you'll find Diaby is well capable of tackling and scoring - no idea where you get the impression that he doesn't do those things - but yes, he can be ponderous on the ball which does sometimes slow things down too much. Overall, though, when fit most people seem to think he is a very good player, including the France manager, which is the part of Wenger's quote that your source (probably the Mail or the Sun) conveniently left out, so that you think things like say "Wenger's claim that Abou Diaby would be "the first name on the French team sheet" is contentious at best". Wenger in fact said “He is the first player who would be on the France team sheet in midfield when he is fit. Laurent Blanc said that before the European Championship and he waited a very long time to know if he could play or not. But he couldn't.” It's probably worth pointing out as well, though, that the one time I saw Diaby playing for France, he was bloody amazing. So much more powerful and dynamic than his typical Arsenal games, although I do think he's improving, and that France match was probably the last time I saw him playing competitively aside from his few Arsenal appearances this season, which you couldn't really judge him on. On that performance, and some of the things he's done for Arsenal in the past, Diaby is a great talent and is capable of being a top class player, it's just these injuries, and to not be well-stocked in midfield would be a mistake. That said, it's odd you'd go on about M'vila when we're apparently so close to signing Cazorla, who I think will probably play CM for us. He's obviously different from M'vila, but he's more what we need, and considering we have Arteta and Song to start the more defensive midfield positions, and Coquelin, Ramsey and Rosicky as immediate backups and the likely return of Jack Wilshere, I don't think giving Diaby another chance for the seaons will really affect us that much. If he comes back and starts to play well, great, if he can't stay fit again this season, it probably won't matter a great deal. - Post No. 27373
taps 7:13am 2nd Aug 2012
I what you are saying is true then most of our big stars who already left, left becoz AW believed in a crock Robin whom he stood by for SEVEN YEARS while injured. I'm not surprised if you had written the same about RvP a few years ago and you find yoself contradicting yoself after he played 1 season. You don't know what you are talking about becoz we all know Robin. So stop telling us lies. If I may ask you before last season would you ever write anything like this about Robin? The chocolate angles of Robin managed a season after AW stood by him when he himself could not. I would very very surprised if Robin agrees with you and if that's what he think of AW. Let's wait and see next season he progresses. - Post No. 27374
Ryan 7:21am 2nd Aug 2012
You forgot to mention that the "joker" is going to deliver us Santi Carzola and Nuri Sahin to help out in the midfield. But I suppose that wouldn't have helped your predetermined narrative, so I can see why you left it out. If I think that Arsenal can win the league, am I also crazy in your mind? - Post No. 27375
Ministry of Information 7:26am 2nd Aug 2012
Citizens of GoonerCity: Renew. Buy the merchandise. Consume. Criticism is treason. Fourth is First. Continual defeat is everlasting glory. Failure is Success! - Post No. 27376
Cypriot Gooner 7:29am 2nd Aug 2012
I agree with part of what u r saying... I agree that we have to get some cover in midfield both diaby and jack are doubtful for the begining of the season. I also agree that Diaby is a crock but to say he is technically limited is beyond me!! He must have the best close dribble in the squad for example!! - Post No. 27377
AJ 7:42am 2nd Aug 2012
I'm sorry but i don't get this obsession with splurging to obtain a trophy. How can you derive a sense of satisfaction from doing so...would it really make you happy. I've always looked upon arsenal as a club with morals rather than a cuthroat institution abandoning their players at the faintest sign of weakness. For the record i'm pretty certain we will get one of mvila or sahin but i have faith diaby and ramsey will both come good this season. I'm actually pretty disappointed most of our support are so obsessed with trophies to the extent of achieving it at any cost but i can't help but continue to support the club. RVP represents all thats wrong with modern day footballers with no sense of loyalty and i would much rather he wasn't at the club. I simply go to matches because i enjoy watching our team play but cringe whenever jeers and groans echo around the stadium once anyone of our annual scape goats receive the ball. - Post No. 27380
anon 7:45am 2nd Aug 2012
crap post we dont have to spend like whores. all the players that left were part of the teams that didnt win trophys,so part of the problem - Post No. 27381
Joe Fitzpatrick 7:47am 2nd Aug 2012
Keeming@gmail- of course I've seen M'vila play, we've been linked with him for ages and I'd love to see him in red and White because he is a warrior of a player. - Post No. 27382
nobby 7:58am 2nd Aug 2012
Citizens of DoomCity: Don't renew. Boycott the merchandise. Abstain. Support is treason. Fourth is Last. Occasional defeat is everlasting misery. Failure is Death! - Post No. 27383
Joe Fitzpatrick 8:01am 2nd Aug 2012
Cypriot Gooner- I'm sorry but I don't get what is so fantastic about Abou Diaby. He is neither creative or destructive he is just kind of standing there with a perplexed look on his Spurs face. - Post No. 27384
TH 8:12am 2nd Aug 2012
Sorry pal, you may have watched a lot of football but surely you cant have played the game. Diaby was/is an excellent player if fit, of that I have no doubt. The time to judge him is after a run of 12 consecutive games not after a long lay off, we desperately need him to be fit this year. BTW if he was english he would never have received this sort of criticism. - Post No. 27385
bunch 8:13am 2nd Aug 2012
Great post. Diaby is the poster boy for the Wenger led decline of Arsenal Football Club. Overpaid, French, Lazy, No idea about the fans, perma-crocked. - Post No. 27386
Oguntuase Amos 8:15am 2nd Aug 2012
This is your personal opinion, very biased and without respect to both the manager and the player in question. You Robin or better Robber was part of those who had robbed Arsenal of glories by their constant injuries, he was just a little better than Diaby and very proud to have said that the coach who nursed him with patience into stardom no longer knows anything. It appears you too could behave like the Robber. Enough of insults on our players and the manager, at least they deserve some praises for the little they have done and to encouraged them to do better. - Post No. 27387
Keb Brutre 8:21am 2nd Aug 2012
I fear that your 'rant' is short-sighted. Moreover, it suggests a lack of football acumen. While he may have been injured a lot, Diaby is one of the most talented footballers at Arsenal. It is easy to see that from the little football he has played for Arsenal. I stand by Wenger that when fit he is a real asset. I strongly dispute your claim that he slows down play as, in fact, his biggest strength is his ability on the break. Please tone down the negativity. - Post No. 27388
Graham Simons 8:31am 2nd Aug 2012
I'm with you. I cannot stand Diaby. I remember when he was being touted as the next Vieira. The bottom line is regardless of his injury record he was a liability when he was on the field in that like Bendtner, he's a much better player in his head than on the field. He gets himself sent off for silly challenges and isn't the best passer of the ball. We don't know where to play him because he lacks the discipline to stick one position and seems a jack of all trades and a master of none. With RVP when he was on the field he would score and you thought there was potential but with this guy as with Theo, I just see rather rubbish tribute acts to true legends like Vieira and Henry. - Post No. 27390
A.A.A 9:14am 2nd Aug 2012
I dunno what you are talking about. coz even euro2012 French coach was disappointed diaby wasn't fit and even went as far as saying what wenger said.. those are 2 great coaches who believe in this Guy.. they see something we haven't seen yet. and instead of atleast praying for him not to get an career ending injury, you are talking about nonsense.. for the record, have read much of the article. - Post No. 27391
Ron 9:36am 2nd Aug 2012
Hes got skill, but hes slow, lacks discipline, his passing isnt great and he has over the last 2 years (on the odd time hes played) looked like hes gripped with anxiety about getting another serious knock and as such hes totally inhibited, unlike when he first came onto the scene when he looked like a breath of fresh air. The comparisons with RVP and his injures are wide of the mark. RVP has never had any limbs wrecked. Dan Smith has put paid to Diabys career at the top end of the game.Wenger nor Diaby are yet ready to accept it. Its Arsenal being very honourable, but they shouldnt be compromising a midfield/the team while they wait to decide when its appropriate to call time on him. - Post No. 27392
Danny 9:46am 2nd Aug 2012
Torrid article. Yann M'Vila - Jeez!! This guy seems to have become some mythical/god like player, the solution to all our problems!! Is it me, or has any one actually seen him play!!? Worst article - Post No. 27393
billthered 10:06am 2nd Aug 2012
I cant see how many of you cannot see the ability of Diaby,if that Suderland labourer Smith had not caused him GBH he would now be a truely world class player.Go back to time before that tackle and hand on heart how many of you could not see a terrific prospect.So please do not blame him for his injuries because I think we had a potentially great player in the squad before that Suderland incident,it is also why I think he reacts when he is on the receiving end of bad tackles Joey Barton anyone?. - Post No. 27394
SharkeySure 10:08am 2nd Aug 2012
Embarassing, just plain embarrassing. Reads like you're in a pub spouting off after a few pints. Please remember that you are an Arsenal fan - Post No. 27395
Kilkenny cat 10:19am 2nd Aug 2012
Diaby can be brilliant and wasteful in the same move,never mind the same game.Too inconsistant,plus the injuries means we just cant trust him.But like a lot of the deadwood will be hard to move on.I would move Vermaelan into dm,and buy an imposing centre half who can organise.Baines at left back would be good too. - Post No. 27396
GoonerGoal! 10:32am 2nd Aug 2012
WOW,the AKB's have finally broken cover! If I've got it right, they are all using RvP's example to expect Diaby to suddenly have an oustanding season after barely figuring in the previous seven. Hmmmmm... I guess there is some kind of logic going on there, but what it is I'm not too sure! - Post No. 27398
Jack the Gooner 10:46am 2nd Aug 2012
God Joe, just please shutup! How on earth do you get so much "airtime" on here? Its the same constant negative droll, and you really are a very tiring contributor! When we sign Cazorla and Sahin Im sure you will find a way to spin it negatively. You offer nothing and this article is another pointless exercise in trying to attack the manager! - Post No. 27399
Fishpie 10:56am 2nd Aug 2012
I completely agree with Graham Simons. While I concede Diaby has shown some moments of good skill and ability, he is essentially a superficial player. I recognize that his injury has impacted badly on his career and undoubtedly it would have been very difficult and frustrating for him but to my mind he's like one of those big kids in the playground who knows one or two dribbling and drag back tricks that he likes to show off to prove he's got skill but put him in a real match and there's nothing of any real substance, very little of any positive consequence. I can well understand the French players wanting him to be in the starting line up for France in the last World Cup because I bet he looked good in training. But in a real match,especially in a Premiership one, he plays in his own slow motion zone dribbling round and round to his heart's content, while the match is going on at a much faster pace around him. What the Arsenal team needs badly is a Gilberto, a player who knew he had limited ability on-the ball, and focused instead on tracking back, breaking up opposition play and supporting the defense. That's what we need; a realist, a pragmatist, someone who's tuned in, not a head-in-the-clouds, meandering dozy dreamer who thinks we've all come along just to watch him dilly-dally on the ball. - Post No. 27400
WTF 11:27am 2nd Aug 2012
Diaby's technical limitations would be??? He is extremely technically gifted player (according to his team mates, the best at Arsenal) and as far as I remember he can put a 'odd' tackle in, and when he gets just a little bit fit after putting together only a few games he does hit a 'odd' goal or two as well. Now he has had some nasty injuries and whether he can overcome them or not I wont dispute (RVP, Rosicky, etc did) some players never do fully recover. But your trolling about his abilities is just ridiculous, honestly you should stop watching football because you don't seem to understand the game at all - Post No. 27401
Highbury Boy 11:35am 2nd Aug 2012
The media love to get a quote from Wenger. He is very "quotable" whether it be about football or anything else. Sometimes they seem sensible sometimes embarrassing especially after a defeat. Whatever Wenger's motives,perhaps giving Diaby confidence perhaps a smokescreen for a bid for another midfielder I think we should judge Wenger on results not on what he says. - Post No. 27402
Big Andy 12:24pm 2nd Aug 2012
I actually think that Diaby is a decent player when fit; the problem is that he hardly ever is. The Diaby situation just demonstrates why Wenger is so annoying. He is too stubborn to accept that Diaby is a crock with no future in the game. We should buy M'Villa. - Post No. 27404
T-Ski 12:29pm 2nd Aug 2012
My agenda is to support the Arsenal. What is the author's agenda. It's fairly clear he wants Wenger out and nothing anyone does or says will make him change his mind. The window is not yet closed, the season not yet started and yet all is doom and gloom in the Author's opinion. The constant stream of embittered and unconstructive articles on this website is truly tedious. - Post No. 27405
Tony Evans 12:39pm 2nd Aug 2012
Agree with you Joe - Diaby for me represents all that is wrong with Wenger. Misplaced loyalty and a willingness to gamble Arsenal's chances of a real trophy on players that Fergie would have shipped out long ago. I noticed several amusing comments on your blog defending Wenger because he got ONE season out of RVP by sticking with him - big deal - what about the other 7 or 8 seasons when he was out injured when we needed goals to push on for the title? As for Sahin and Cazorla I will believe that when or if it happens. Even if Arsenal do sign them the damning 'Joker' indictment of Wenger's reign post 2006 will still be all too evident and that is his usual achilles heel - not enough quality in depth in defence or in goal. - Post No. 27406
MRMROD 12:50pm 2nd Aug 2012
A scathing rant indeed but not without some justification. I/we all (very, very patiently) stand to be corrected but I do not believe that even a fit Abou Diaby is the answer...Ramsey is not the answer...and Coquelin is still learning, therefore I feel there is room for M'Villa and at £17m, relatively speaking, he wouldn't cost the earth. However, AW is clearly making amends for last season and has learned lessons in my eyes, with the acquistion of both Giroud and Podolski AND it seems Carzola and Nurin to come this week...my confidence of a trophy this season and my positivity is growing by the week. - Post No. 27407
Rob 12:57pm 2nd Aug 2012
Diaby was a starter in Frances euro 2012 qualifying team when fit. Blanc was very disappointed not to have him at the euros he was guaranteed to be in the 23 man squad he was a starter at world cup 2010 where he was Frances best player under Domeneche and is regarded by French fans and every manager he hs ever played under as a player with great ability, he maintains possession well and has good passing he is very strong with a great change of pace added to the fact he has superb ball control and excellent dribbling ability, its clear to see that Wenger is a big fan of diaby's ability even with his injury history just as he was with van persie and rosicky and stuck by them when they recieved the same criticism. Articles like this make me laugh when people think they know more than Wenger. oh and Wenger said he would be the first name on the french team sheet in midfield you really shouldn't try to deliberately misquote someone because i'm sure alot of people already know what Wenger actually said and haven't been decieved by you. - Post No. 27408
A real gooner, not a plastic, unlike the author. 13:10pm 2nd Aug 2012
The Diaby of circa 2006 was an immense player in the making. IF he can get back to consistent fitness he'll be a phenomenal player - Post No. 27409
Theo's Bikini-Line 13:23pm 2nd Aug 2012
Anyone else find it somewhat irony that the same 'defend Arsene at all costs' group of gooners, only a few weeks after claiming that Arsenal should sell RVP because 'he's had only one good season in 7; not certain he will have another injury free season, etc, etc' are now using the Dutchman as their main line of defence when it comes to keeping Diaby - a guy even more injury prone but way less productive than Robin!! - Post No. 27411
RJ 13:56pm 2nd Aug 2012
@ Theo Bikini Line - I think you confuse two things. The argument on RVP is "what a c*** for kicking us in the teeth after we paid his wages for 6 injury prone years" - the moment he turns the corner and has a good 18 months he is off - nice repaying of loyalty. And in truth, it seems we are not alone in wanting to pay a fortune to keep him. ON the other hand is the fact that Diaby is not a piece of sh** at all - a very talented player, struck down by injury - we may as well stand by him until the end of his contract. It would be more eyebrow raising if Wenger were to say "the boy is never going to be fit, what a schmuck i was for giving him an extended contract, oy oy." Let's hope that he does come into fitness, does have a blinding season and does repay Wenger's faith and investment - give the lad some f***ing support. If he does come into form and fitness I hope he does not repay Wenger's trust and confidence in the same was as Robin Hood did. COME ON YOU GOONERS - Post No. 27412
Angry & Frustrated 14:52pm 2nd Aug 2012
Diaby is a riddler (pun intended) to me, as he has undoubted talent, although not a great footballing brain, as he is often caught on the ball when he should have released it, and then has a tendency not to cover back to try to regain possesion (story of our entire midfield bar Arteta). On the other hand his injury record is beyond dire, and it's this gamble that Wenger willingly takes on him (which he loses year in year out!) that surely must end one day? Those of you on here defending Wenger's backing of Diaby I presume will say excatly the same this time next season if as expected he only plays 10-12 games for us this time around? To me part of being a manager is to manage and make tough decisions without becoming emotionally attached, and that I feel is Wenger's problem here, as he is far to close to his babies for his own and our good. Life is hard, and if you or I had such an appalling attendance record at work we would have received a P45 long ago, and Diaby should be no different. Wenger has given him 6 years since that horror tackle at Sunderland, and surely there must come a time when you say for the good of the club it's time for a parting of the ways, regardless of his undoubted raw talent? One final thought for those on here defending Diaby, have you noticed he has never ever been linked to another club, I wonder why? - Post No. 27413
maguiresbridge gooner 15:15pm 2nd Aug 2012
We've been a joke club for a while now what with pet projects antics on the sideline tactics (or lack of)selling our best players every season buying rubbish that we now can't get rid off. Once upon a time we were feared and hard to beat not anymore now every manager has our number.Joe you have a good memory to assess diaby it's hard to remember when he was last on the pitch long enough but don't be surprised if by some miracle he goes fifteen or so games without breaking down again he'll be rewarded with a new contract and he can buy himself a new spuds shirt.It will be great if the players we're being linked with at the moment are signed then maybe we can become serious contenders again and maybe even feared but as usual we'll have to wait and see.Don't forget we have the best spin doctor in Europe. - Post No. 27414
dogo 16:12pm 2nd Aug 2012
Joe Fitzpatrick you are the Joker and not Wenger and it looks like almost every post in this page will agree with me. - Post No. 27415
jjetplane 17:05pm 2nd Aug 2012
As Twitter Jack is now out to Xmas and longer? will make Diaby even less inclined to be fit. Now that the Arse are targetting 4th/3rd place cause it feels comfortable financially, I can see Wenger not being unduly worried but plain pragmatic as that is the yankie way. If he does wear a spud sack at home - that explains the lack of passion over the last 7 years. - Post No. 27416
MRMROD 17:15pm 2nd Aug 2012
Perhaps I was asleep for year but when did Diaby become the hope of a club and a nation? Eveyone harps on about the injury at Sunderland but prior to Eduardo's injury at Birmingham some of his perfomances and exquisite finishing bordered on sexual; he had nothing to prove. However, seeing as he was never the same after his horrific injury he was shipped out! Perhaps Diaby will be shipped out too if he doesnt finally come good this season? (although lets hope he does!!) - Post No. 27417
Joe Fitzpatrick 17:17pm 2nd Aug 2012
Fishpie has come out with a top comment about Diaby above and I suggest that you all read it. Diaby in his best ever season played 29 league games, scoring 6 and assisting 4. Terribly damning statistics for a player who is supposed to be an offensively minded box to box midfielder according to himself and his manager. I suppose a lot of you are so easily dazzled by a few drag backs that you fail to see how ineffective and inefficient Diaby is. He lacks passion, drive commitment and publicly admits to wearing a Tottenham shirt at home yet you stupid Sheep STILL bleat his name! Baa! Baa! Diaby! Baa! - Post No. 27418
Mike 18:23pm 2nd Aug 2012
M'villa is no better than any of the other midfielders we have including Ramsey. I have watched him play on numerous occasions in the French League and he is not worth near 17 million - Post No. 27419
nobby 19:16pm 2nd Aug 2012
I think you've missed the point of most of the responses you've received to this post. Isn't the post about whether Arsenal supporters agree with Brave Sir Robin and no longer believe in Wenger? You've taken a comment Wenger made about Diaby out of context and used it for Wenger-bashing. Is Wenger meant to say, 'Diaby is f*cked'? Use a bit of common sense. Many have pointed out that it seems absurd to ridicule Wenger over M'Vila when the club are trying to sign Cazorla and Sahin. - Post No. 27420
Whinger_OUT_NOW 20:46pm 2nd Aug 2012
I see the AKB"s have crawled out of their holes into daylight again. I thought they would never show their face again after 7 years of failure, but I guess I should have given more credit to their delusion and brazneness Even if Diaby was good, he can't help us because he never leaves the rehab unit of the local hospital. No matter how good a player, he can't help a club from his hospital bed. Jeez. He's been here 6 years and contributed nothing, yet AKB's are defending even the most indefensible. What next? Denilson's passing stats? Lord help us - Post No. 27421
clockendpaul 22:06pm 2nd Aug 2012
Tom and joe, yeah i remember what was said about rvp before last season, one great season later and he's off! - Post No. 27422
maguiresbridge gooner 22:39pm 2nd Aug 2012
It wasn't Diabys fault he was crocked but it wasn't arsenals either so paying thousands and thousands of pounds to a player who is out crocked for up to 6 years is ridiculous to say the least agree with Angry & Frustrated there comes a time for the parting of the ways and that time will be if he breaks down again.But if he does last more than fifteen or twenty games and does go on to have one great season just like RVP i wonder what will happen if a certain man city come calling. - Post No. 27423
Stroud Green Road Boy 23:39pm 2nd Aug 2012
Amazing how many AKBs there still are. Clearly there is a component of support for whom what matters is that AW remains in charge, it's not about the club itself - Post No. 27424
Swerve 23:50pm 2nd Aug 2012
Ooh you Wenger lovers are such hitches! Meeoww! Diaby is a great player huh? Will rise like a phoenix from the ashes of injury will he? Wenger knows more than fans about football does he? Well that's nice. But seeing as only two managers in world football get paid more than him, and Gergiev ain't one of them, he seems to know a lot less than his peers which is disappointing. I am also wondering which major league or international tournament Blanc has managed to win or even impress in, but hey let's not split hairs when we're trying to make sense of Wenger's statements. Chances are his agenda will change next month and he will contradict himself anyway, confident it will be overlooked by those of you who love to perform mental gymnastics to justify your faith in him. Wilshere and Diaby ARE like new signings after all....yes he actually said that. - Post No. 27425
Joe Fitzpatrick 0:27am 3rd Aug 2012
Nobby- I think that it's interesting that everyone is blaming Robin for leaving when Fabregas did the same thing. It's Wenger's fault for sourounding his star players with dross. As for Cazorla and Sahin I'll believe it when they're in an Arsenal shirt - Post No. 27426
DW Thomas 5:46am 3rd Aug 2012
I agree Joe. Wenger is more Inspector Clouseau IMO, though. Should have bought M'Vila and one more solid defender. If Jack and Diaby are healthy and Cazorla comes in, then our midfield is great again. Diaby has shown great ability at times, but also ineptitude. Like Denilson. I really think Wenger doesn't coach in a way that pushes players to defend well as well as attack. To much emphasis on possession. There has to be more end product . Relying on two players who have been out over a year is insanity, gambling with the season I think. This year the team must compete or the manager must go. What makes Arsene most like your Joker is his quotes these last few seasons. Utterly bizarre at times and often from another reality altogether. Like his own comic book world where he rules all and FFP works. - Post No. 27427
RJ 10:25am 3rd Aug 2012
Joe - Fabregas left to go to his boyhood club after 8 (6? 5? dunno) years of phenomenal. RVP leaves after 18 months of tireless service, but wages for 6 (5? who cares) injury hit years - Club did not have to stand by Cesc through the odd misdemeanour. RVP is not going to his boyhood club (unless Feyenoord come in with a late bod....) NOT COMPARABLE. - Post No. 27428
fozzy's mate 10:52am 3rd Aug 2012
Joe - I agree with you re Diaby but I think with the potential signings of Sahin and Carzola OGL is at last building in a contingency plan. I would be surprised if Wilshere and Diaby played more than 20 gamnes between them and I think thats why Sahin on loan with an option to buy depending on what happens with Wilshere and Diaby is the preferred defnesive midfield option this season. With Giroud, Podolski and Carzola he is planning to plug the gap of RVP's goals when the inevitable happens either this season or next when more clubs will be interested with no fee attached. One area where Wenger has let us and himself down is becoming to reliant on any one player. i have seen other managers say that if someone is agitating for a move you call their bluff and get raplacements in first. I have been a critic of OGL in recent years but think that maybe finally the penny has dropped. Also Diaby is on 60k a week so nobody will take him. - Post No. 27429
Ron 10:54am 3rd Aug 2012
Fishpie hits the nail on the head here regarding Diaby. Well said that man! - Post No. 27430
Gare Kekeke 14:25pm 3rd Aug 2012
Whilst I believe that Diaby has some ability, for me his lack of tactical discipline has held him back as well as the unfortunate injuries. The problem with Diaby is that he sees himself as a No.10 a la Bergkamp and has gone on record in the past stating that is his role whereas Wenger sees him as a Vieira type box-to-box midfielder for which we all agree is his role. We all remember very well that Dennis had plenty of skill, craft & vision. Think of those passes to set up Vieira’s goals at Chelsea and at home to Leicester during the 03/04 season. Does anyone out there think Diaby is capable of that? His basic passing is poor let alone the vision of a Wilshire and he does have an annoying tendency to hold on to the ball a lot longer than he should and will end up squandering possession. For someone who also has the ability to tackle as had shown in the past, for me it’s annoying that at times he’s so reluctant to track back and help the defence. And lest we forget, who was wholly responsible for the collapse at Newcastle in February 2011? That’s right Diaby because he wasn’t man enough to rise above the provocation of that cretin Joey Barton and because he didn’t want to get hurt or whatever he said along that line when asked about his red card that afternoon. I think Diaby is now in the last chance saloon. Wenger’s faith alone, sometimes misplaced will not make Diaby the supposed world beater that some make him out to be. Personally I still think we are better off signing another DM with Song too attack minded and Coquelin & Frimpong still unproven. Up The Arsenal! - Post No. 27431
Jim Bowen 14:44pm 3rd Aug 2012
All I will say is 'look at what you coulda won' Arsene (if you hadn't backed so many losers)and here is your BFH. Never mind listen to Tony you don't listen to anyone! - Post No. 27432
Arsemart 16:28pm 3rd Aug 2012
Right, first things ****ing last. I'm not a Wenger fan, and have talked about outing him for at least the past 2/3 seasons. However to castigate him for "finding excuses for not spending Kronke's money" when he's shelled out the best part of £40M on 3 internationals this summer (Carzorla pending...) is just ridiculous. We wanted him to splash the cash. He's done it. At least give him a few games before digging him out again for Christ's sake. - Post No. 27433
Brigham 16:58pm 3rd Aug 2012
To Tom and Joe, you can say that, but what has RVP done once he came good? Thats right, asked to leave! Get with the programme and realize the truth, we will never win the League as long as the current board are in situ. - Post No. 27434
GaryFootscrayAustralia 17:43pm 3rd Aug 2012
I think the Gooner who said "WHY is Diaby?" said it best, and still nobody knows, because the lad doesn't spend enough time on the pitch. - Post No. 27435
stevesam 18:23pm 3rd Aug 2012
If you want to make a comparison I would suggest you compare Diaby to Ramsey. Both have had setbacks to their careers by serious injury. I was at Cardiff on Wednesday and Ramsey was outstanding and I was proud to be a Gooner. He bossed the midfield, was always available to take a pass from a team mate, he made numerous tackles and also covered when required defensively, all round an excellent performance and he shall get better. Yes, he does sometimes pass astray and get caught in possesion, but if you consider he is in the 'mix' he does not hide. He has got 'bottle'. Compare this to Diaby, how many times does he win balls in the air, corners, free kicks, etc. Does he tackle, does he boss midfield. If I was in the trenches then I know which of these players I would want by my side. Ramsey is a winner, Diaby lacks 'mental strength'. - Post No. 27436
TIMTHEBRICKIE 21:47pm 3rd Aug 2012
CAST YOUR MINDS BACK A COUPLE OF SEASONS TO DIABY'S OWN GOAL AT OLD TRAFFORD. HE'S LIKE THE KID IN SCHOOL WHO'S ALWAYS LOOKING OUT OF THE WINDOW AND NOT CONCENTRATING ON THE THINGS HAPPENING AROUND HIM. HE'LL STILL BE HANGING AROUND AT ARSENAL IN 5 YEARS TIME' ANOTHER 15 MILLION QUID DOWN THE PAN. - Post No. 27437
Bergkamp10 22:51pm 3rd Aug 2012
Excellent post this is!! Keeming@gmail- of course I've seen M'vila play, we've been linked with him for ages and I'd love to see him in red and White because he is a warrior of a player. My only words for Diaby. Are the own goal at Old 'shedless' Trafford and our Mad Jens telling him a few home truths at Blackpool the season before last. The guy is NOT Arsenal standard..Simples!! - Post No. 27438
frank 0:32am 4th Aug 2012
come on man cheer up, the seasons just around the corner. Why doesnt anyone write about arsenal football club anymore. take a look at arseblog. Its way too depressing on the gooner these days. - Post No. 27439
Joe Fitzpatrick 15:49pm 5th Aug 2012
Am I the only one who is concerned that while Podolski, Giroud and Cazorla are excellent signings, we haven't signed any Goalkeepers, defenders or defensive midfielders? Did we not concede 49 in the league last year? - Post No. 27459
maguiresbridge gooner 16:51pm 5th Aug 2012
Joe your certainly not the only one concerned and as welcome as these signings are it's obvious where arsene's priorities lie and it doesn't look like it's with the defensive side of our game (whats new or maybe he's just leaving that to bouldy) we've been crying out for an experienced keeper for three or four seasons now to be number one or help chezz who as we all know still has a lot to learn it took him long enough to give up on the waiter so maybe he still hopes flappy will come good.Maybe he'll surprise us with a defender and a keeper when he's in the spending mood other wise it's another season with flappy. - Post No. 27460
Joe Fitzpatrick 22:40pm 5th Aug 2012
Thank God for that! Not just me then. - Post No. 27461
No. 17
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