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Wenger: “Abou Diaby Is Our Defensive Midfield Solution”
At the end of the transfer window many fans were crying out for an attacking option to be added, but the quieter voices were also talking about Arsenal’s problems defensively. We lacked cover in all defensive areas and, with Flamini and Arteta proving that they’re not at their best any more, an imposing defensive midfielder. Even the silky ‘Invincibles’ team had a strong midfield enforcer in the form of legendary midfielder Viera. However Wenger has come out on a limb and stated that our DM problems are already solved, Abou Diaby is the man for the job.
Can Abou Diaby really be the answer to the midfield crisis?
Really?
Diaby is a solid player but I’ve yet to see any evidence that he can be a long term solution in DM for Arsenal.
1) He’s always injured
Abou Diaby has managed 126 games for Arsenal which sounds like a lot, however that’s over 8 years. 8. In a club that plays over 50 games a season to be be averaging 15 games a season shows how little he’s been available. To be pinning our hopes of a new DM on a player who is perpetually injured is not something that I can really get behind. Plus a defensive midfielder who is scared of getting injured at any point is not one that can do the job properly.
2) Physical attributes don’t naturally make a player good
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Yes he’s tall and powerful but most of the time that’s put to good use by going on powerful runs with the ball. Just because someone looks the part doesn’t mean that they will fit it. Abou Diaby has experience at the top level but not in that role, he is far more of a box-to-box midfielder than a defensive one. Also Wenger has previously distanced Diaby from the position, stating, “He (Diaby) is more of an offensive player. He is not a defensive-minded player and he’s not a holding player. He’s a player who crosses the field at ease, goes from box to box like it’s no distance and has good power as well.”
Change of tune much?
3) Did I mention the injuries
HE’S INJURED SO MUCH! Seriously we cannot pin our hopes on Diaby.
I don’t mind him playing a decent role in the team but I just don’t think we can pin our hopes on him. There has to be more cover defensively for the team as a whole and right now I just can’t see that there is any at all.
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