Vassiriki Abou Diaby, better known as Abou Diaby, is currently the talk of the town in London. Having started all the 3 games for Arsenal this season, the French midfielder, often blighted by injuries throughout his career, is making his presence felt in the side.
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| He is back with a bang! |
Early Days
Abou Diaby began his football career with his hometown club
CM Aubervilliers later joining Paris St-Germain on a professional contract. From
there he went Auxerre in 2002 and continued playing for them until he was roped
in by Arsenal in 2006, for an undisclosed fee. While at Auxerre, he played for
the France national team right from the Under-18 stage. One of his coaches
described him as being “Fairly quite & quiet frail.” Indeed it was true,
due to repetitive injuries Diaby was often on the treatment table instead of
being on the pitch. Coming through the youth ranks, no wonder, it was Arsene
Wenger who spotted this young lad and brought him to England in January 2006.
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| Wenger spotted the young lad |
Style of Play
Diaby is not the usual work-horse midfielder; he is a
passive yet elusive player. He is creative while going forward as well as very
efficient while falling back to defend. His deft touches and ability to slide
in slick passes to his team-mates are a pleasure to watch. Not the player who
runs tirelessly, he is a player who makes the most of it when the ball is with
him. A well-built physique & good height adds to his arsenal of being an
aerial threat not only offensively but also while marking opposition players
during set-pieces.
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| A complete midfielder! |
What makes him better than Song?
With the departure of Alex Song it was much doubted as to whether Diaby would be able to replace the second best player of the Arsenal team last season. What makes Diaby better than Song is his hunger to win back the ball. Arsenal defence have often been accused of leaking in goals and last season was another example of that. Song was accused of being too offensive and hence could not recover in time to save the goal. Although he is known for his surge forward, what makes Diaby better than his former team-mate Alex Song, is his ability to run all the way back to defend for the team. Not the fastest by any means, his long strides help him cover the ground quickly. Also, another aspect which stands out is the fact that he is a clean tackler, unlike Song, who was pretty brash while tackling getting him in danger of being sent off. Height is an added advantage for Diaby as it helps the team defend set pieces. The difference is immediately seen as Arsenal last season, at this stage, had conceded 10 goals and scored only 2 whereas this season have conceded none.
| Diaby or Song? Who is better? |
The Next Patrick Vieira?
The great Patrick Vieira parted ways with Arsenal in 2005. A
key ingredient of the Invincibles’ success story, his departure left a big void
in Arsenal’s midfield. Diaby was signed by the Gunners in January 2006. Both
French, both Center Midfielders, the comparisons were imminent. Vieira was more
of the defensive type while Diaby is much better while going ahead. Arsene
Wenger, himself, once said that, “His ability to win the ball back is just like
Vieira.” Diaby is more of a box to box midfielder and is labelled as a 'complete midfielder' by Didier Deschamps. But then Diaby is still a long
way to achieve what his French counterpart did in his playing days.
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| Viera in the making? |
The Resurgence of Diaby
Always known as a player with great potential, Diaby has never
been able to live up to the billing, not for the lack of trying, but its
injuries which have kept him on the sidelines for weeks and months. Having not
made a single start in the entire campaign last season, an injury-free Diaby
was in the Starting XI right from Match day 1, this season. A Man of the Match
performance in his last outing is probably just the start of repayment of the
unwavering faith shown in him, by the Gunners boss. It’s been 6 years since he
joined the club & Wenger has always stood by him and maintained the fact
that when Diaby will be back, he’ll be a very good player. Wenger said, “When
fit, Abou is the first name on the France team sheet.” He was fit last week, he
was on the team sheet as well and if anyone had any questions on Wenger’s comment,
Diaby answered them all by scoring the lone goal to help France win.With age on his side (Diaby is now just 26),
and his will-power to comeback stronger after every injury, Abou Diaby can
certainly bring glory to Arsenal FC and for himself in the years to come.
Written By,
Pranav Byatnal.
Pranav Byatnal is an Editor & Writer for 18 Yard Box.
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