If, as every blogger, hack and twitterer was insisting this morning, it was Cesc’s ‘cameo’ that saw off Villa yesterday(see also ‘SkySports-inspired vocabulary meltdown’), perhaps it’s worth asking who the lead actor was.
For me, it was Abou Diaby. The Big Guy. The Boss. The man we all expect will eventually play Will Smith in the story of his life. Winning headers here, coolly chesting the ball down there, and generally gambolling around the midfield without a care in the world, Diaby played brilliantly.
He tackled well, created yards of space for our forwards every time he surged forward and crowned his afternoon with a goal so chilled out that I half-expected him to slump to the floor in a deep and refreshing slumber just before he curled the ball gently round Friedel. He looked bewildered as he smiled gummily at the team-mates who surrounded him, like a man who had recently rolled out of bed.
Whatever, if he keeps that form up he’s going to be a major weapon. His style of play, positioning and passing choices are utterly baffling to opponents who seem to be too surprised at what he’s doing to offer much resistance.
He needs to stay fit, and he needs to stay focused. If he can do that, and if his progress isn’t interrupted too much by Song’s departure for Angola and the injuries to Denilson and Cesc, then we could see the emergence of a big league player this winter.
And with Song already a star man, should Diaby follow suit it’ll be yet another Wenger triumph – turning injury-prone catastrophe-merchants who most fans think are totally useless into top players. There’s no-one better than Wenger at this, and it’s just lovely to see the tabloid confusion which invariably accompanies these players’ change in fortunes.
Many apologies for the increasingly sporadic UpForGrabsNow output. I realise it’s been ages since my last much-derided piece on Eboue’s Hollywood potential. Neither Grabber nor I are really living very blog-friendly lifestyles just now, but we’ll try to post as often as we can until we’re back on an even keel.
And look out for the UpForGrabsNow Review of 2009 and a Review of the Decade, coming soon.
Tags: Abou Diaby, Arsenal
December 29th, 2009 at 1:38 am
The jury is still out but he has impressed me in the last few games. Needs to grab this chance to extend his run with Denilson and Cesc are injured.
December 29th, 2009 at 2:16 am
No doubt about it! Diaby has improved leaps and bounds. Before, he would trip or fall over soever easily when challenged. But now he is so much stronger and skillful. He even has the audacity to dribble and ‘toy’ around surrounding opponents! I must admit it now I find it enjoyable to watch him play! Another ‘gem’ in the making for Arsenal!
December 29th, 2009 at 4:43 am
Diaby has played well before that major injury 2 years back. It took him almost 1 year after he recover to get back to where he used to be, and better. Eduardo, Walcott & Rosicky is also taking time to get back to their prior level, and I hope Nic B can fast track his recovery process. He is another high potential kid that should make his name with Arsenal.
December 29th, 2009 at 5:31 am
I couldn’t agree more with this article. I will admit however that Diaby has risen and then fallen away at times – I hope this will be the start of a very long peak. No doubt his last two games was very good if we keep his previous form in context.
Song and Diaby, at the top of their game? That would be brilliant and extremely potent.
Let us get behind him and show our appreciation.
December 29th, 2009 at 5:52 am
i swear i would like to see venger buying two good players in jan but not captied.
December 29th, 2009 at 10:56 am
He’s always had talent but he finally seems to be finding some consistency at home, at least.
I still don’t think he’s consistently good enough away from home as yet, but hopefully that will follow.
December 29th, 2009 at 11:55 am
Good post – what is crucial it seems to me is that any one time we need players in form. Eddie aint, Arsh has had a few quiet games but on Sunday Diaby & Cesc were and we won.
We badly need Abou, and our other midfielders, to keep doing the business given we are so clearly struggling up front without a proper centre forward.