Like a new signing! Forgotten big man makes return for Arsenal – in pictures
Abou Diaby is back!
Back for how long is what the pessimists who have witnessed Diaby spend the best of his Arsenal career on the sidelines may wonder, but the midfielder has proven he is not giving up just yet.
The 27-yearold last participated in a competitive football match at the Liberty stadium a year ago where he sustained a knee injury in the 2-0 win over Swansea.
And following a 12-month absence, the Frenchman was back at the Emirates stadium today, well behind schedule after being expected to take only six months to recover from the ligament damage at first.
He may not be gracing the pitch for Arsene Wenger’s first team soon but after 402 days out of the game, Diaby’s fitness was put to test for 45 minutes as he joined the club’s Under-21 squad in a clash with Chelsea on Tuesday.
Carl Jenkinson was another senior player in action for the club’s youngsters who lost 2-1 to the blues despite taking the lead through a Hector Bellerin strike in the first half.
Comeback goals from Chelsea boys Toral and Swift after the break condemned the Gunners to a defeat which now sees them relegated to the second tier of the Under-21 league.
Here were shots of Abou in action on Tuesday, but look out for his knee full of surgery scars at the end.
I’m happy Diaby is back and wish him well but enough is enough. He’s been phrased as “like a new signing” now for the past 8 seasons. Yes he has great potential and yes if it wasn’t for his injuries he would of been a great player for us. But we need a new strong midfielder this summer, a Bender, Schneiderlin, Khadira, etc, if Wenger turns around in mid July after DIaby has had a successful pre season and says he’s “like our new signing” I will lose all faith. Without a strong midfielder to win the ball and compliment Ramsey/Wiltshire next season our season will end in disappointment again. Wenger please stop letting your stubbornness prevent us from progressing by making the same mistake you’ve made for the past 8 years with Diaby.