Why Abou Diaby can be solution to minor striker crisis
It may sound ridiculous to his malicious critics but Abou Diaby has the ability to be a temporal solution to Arsenal’s problem of a lessened amount of natural strikers in the wake of Van Persie’s devastating injury.
Eduardo and Carlos Vela are premier options to replace the Dutchman but unless they are partnered upfront, neither of the pair really have the vigor of a striker capable of leading an attack or playing alone in an advance position.
Arshavin, Fabregas and co are undoubted technicians, but believe it or not, against the likes of Stoke City and Burnley, you will need more than craftsmen who are only efficient in carpet football.
That concern is why Nicklas Bendtner’s absence is now being rued more than ever, but a man who could potentially provide that presence of a strong target-man in attack is arguably Abou Diaby.
Diaby – who used to ply his trade as a striker during youthful days at Auxerre – is an obvious physical presence in Arsenal’s mold no matter where he plays.
Indeed, the Frenchman’s shortcomings are more about his defensive attributes rather his attacking ability. Diaby is notably clumsy with tackles, ball possession and passes and can hardly be reliable in the defensive midfield role in which countryman Patrick Vieira excelled in.
Therefore, the deeper Diaby plays on the pitch, the more of a liability he will prove to Arsenal’s possession of the ball. And if you failed to realize, that is the dilemma we have faced about Abou Diaby’s efforts for so long.
The fact is; he is far better going forward and providing killer instincts rather than sitting back and breaking up simple passing moves and build-up play. Perhaps his dangerous intent to dribble through players in midfield – which is impressive but eventually ineffective – could be better used in unlocking the last line of defenders in attack.
Diaby has also not hidden the fact that he enjoys aiming for the opposition’s goal more than anything and recently, Wenger conceded the same.
In all honesty, more often than not, the 23-year-old is odds on to score when he pops up in the penalty area.
His productivity as an emergency striker in games at Fenerbahce and Aston Villa last season was neat evidence that this man can play upfront and we are all witnesses to Diaby’s prowess infront of goal this season.
For the sublime finisher he has proven to be when in the box, it may be time to allow this much-maligned talent more freedom in his forte which is nothing but attacking.
Oh, and for the die-hard members of the ‘anti-Diaby club’ who want him offloaded from the squad as soon as possible, Inter Milan and Jose Mourinho wanted him lured in a heartbeat last summer…so make your plans.
But if you are still far from my point, maybe the video below will get you closer.
I can’t believe you’ve written this. I used to have respect for you.
By the way; Diaby was a second striker/AM not an up front striker and he’d be the worst target man ever. Can’t head to save his life unless it’s in the back of his own net.
So, surprise, surprise, here they come.
And FYI ladies and gentlemen, apparently this patient of the anti-Diaby epidermic is still suffering from mind-flashes over Diaby’s headed own-goal at United – opting to never forgive the poor man who has being striving ever since to make up for that error in attack.
Its a possibility, he’s shown himself to be lethal infront of goal, hes strong, class on the ball, great feet..he is an asset to our foward line…I think he has taken a lot of stick, and most of the people really hating on him have a very obscure idea of the player he is and what he is capable of.
Nice little post. Only the pig ignorant would say that Diaby isnt suited to playing up top. He has fantastic close skill and ball retention when in the final 3rd and we all know he can finish with aplomb! I’d try it out against Sunderland- have DIaby, Arshavin and Eduardo all rotating along the last 3 and have Theo off the bench
I agree —– Abou Diaby can be the solution to striker crisis.
Nice post. The only problem is that you over-compensated for the other side of the debate – his detractors. It would be an ineresting option, but I feel that he should return to the midfield as soon as possible.
Nice idea… haven’t really thought about it myself. Not sure how Eduardo would feel about it though, RVP gets injured and Eddy is still the #2 striker?!
Abou certainly has the skill and technique to hold the ball up and when he gets running, nobody catches him but I’d have to see it to believe it in terms of playing as a lone striker.
I’m not a huge fan of him playing in CM, just because his speed of thought in there is too slow for my liking. He’s far too cavalier in the way his gives the ball away around the halfway line.
I can’t see Wenger playing him there, I think we’ll go with Song (or Ramsey- Song is 1 yellow away from missing the Chelsea game!!) with cesc and diaby CM, Arshavin, Nasri/Rosicky and Eduardo up front.
Not sure when Vela or Theo are back and with Denilson, RVP, Bendtner out, I’m assuming the bench will be made up of mostly defenders again.
For the CL in the week I’d rest every starter. Play-
Mannone, Traore, Silvestre, Senderos, Eboue, Eastmond, Ramsey, Randall or Coquelin (is Merida injured??) Sunu, Watt and either Rosicky or Nasri (whoever doesn’t play v Sunderland)
Damn, thanks for the reminder. I knew Song had been racking up the yellow cards like cash but never really thought he was on the brink.
He should well be rested on Saturday then.
But your forgetting who your talking about! Diaby the most injury prone player in the world, if there’s one way of talking about Diaby its as a ‘temporary replacement’ – not because of his obvious faults on the football field but because he’s barely able to keep fit for 10 minutes. Lo and behold – Van Persie isn’t the only player returning from the international break injured.
You’re wrong.
Diaby has been very impressive with his fitness and has played 16 times for us this season. And apart from his absence on the opening day at Everton, he has started almost every league game this season. (partly why his haters have gotten tired of him even more)
So up until his injury against Wolves (which could be minor) he has been a rejuvenated man with his fitness.
And don’t forget how much of a man this guy is. He suffered an injury as severe as Eduardo’s in 2006 and you wouldn’t even notice.
diaby has played that attacking left position and if wenger plays him there again then maybe ramsey will start more games, ramsey and cesc could be potentially awesome.
but front three will most likely be dudu, rosicky and arshavin with nasri, vela and walcott(when hes fit again).
but how pissed off would you be if you was Bendtner…
Attacking midfield maybe but not striker. trouble with playing in attacking midfield is he gets in the way of Cesc, thats why wenger doesn’t like him to be so advanced. Diaby is not finding the 4-3-3 works for him. I am not sure what would. he has talent but its not coming out.
I can imagine him not being able to give the clinical last pass 9 out of 10 times that would lead to a goal. He can stay on the left or right wing, i thk he works better there, where losing the ball is less of a threat to our defence and is easily dealt with. And hey if anything its his own fault we hate him so badly
Ain’t diaby injured too???
This article is so shitty that I puke when I read it. Diaby is as shit as the writer himself.
Randy…I kid you not; I love this article!
it is possible his finishing is great absolutly lethal in front of goal has also some skills. and the best part is ramsey will get a chance in the midfield area.
Carlos go polish and lick Randy’s balls .
Maybe you should do so for me.
Please ignore this pig, guys 🙂
ZZgunner U just get lost from here !!!
Kidz – I am extremely shocked at you man!
I just checked and your IP address is the SAME as this “ZZgunner” guy.
Hmm…..WTF
Correction Randy, believe it or not, its definately not me! My brother did this idiotic stuff by using my pc.
My conscience is clear and I rest my case.
And I have no reason to doubt you Kidz. 🙂
No problem man, it was just a weird observation.
Thanks Randy for your understanding. Just had a little family crisis with my nuisance bird brain brother.
Boy am I glad now we did not give Vela any starts or playing time (wink, wink)!!!!!! Gee, if Vela was given 5 or 6 games earlier this year I feel he would be fine as the RVP/Bendtner substitute. Diaby as a striker?????????????????? STOP DRINKING THE KOOL AID AND USE YOUR BRAIN . . .
It’s an interesting thought, but Im not sure how good diaby is with his back to goal. Hes a good finisher but seems to prefer running at defences and playing through-balls or shooting.
He is a good finisher though, and technically very good. Over the past couple of years I’ve thought he could do a job up front alongside someone else when we were playing a front 2 but the lone CF role is perhaps a step too far for diaby imho.
Wa wa wee wa. Can’t believe such a stinkingly average player has so much support.
Ok he’s pretty much a failure on the wings as a dm, as a cm, as an am so lets all try him as a striker when we already have Eduardo, Vela and Theo (who’ll be fit by now) waiting for that chance.
No you’re right Randy. Lets give yet another chance to a bloke who after 117 appearances has given us 8 decent performances. No one else deserves a chance more than someone who’s already had 100 more than most of the talent in the squad. The guy who’s intelligence on the ball is by far the worst in the entire squad, the guy who’s substitution (coming off) or sending off revitalises the team every time.
LOL
Question.. Theo, what is his freaking status? Nasri and Rosicky, seem to have come back at a good moment. I know RVP is a huge loss but let’s not make it an “end of the world” thing here fellas. We can still manage while RVP is recovering. Have faith in The Boss he will blend in the right ingredients to make this matter work!
Diaby, I thin belongs in the midfield. Yes, he knows how to attack but let’s keep him there for now. he is still trying to establish himself there. Let’s not mess up the game plan, Arsene has for him.
If anyone can try to challenge to replace RVP (temporarily) it’s Arshavin, or why not Merida? The kid is fantastic! Have, Eduardo as our main stricker and have AA support him! We all know anyone can score at the moment. So, we are good fellas!
RVP, get well soon!
Gunner for life!
BTW, why would you bash on the article for? If you don’t like it then why bother coming to the site to read and post? I smell hateorade!
Get lost!
Oh and where the heck is VELA? Did he get lost somewhere in the States after the Gold Cup? Or did he eat some bad tacos in Mexico?
And last (haha)…arsenekidz, your brother needs a beat down! 😉
Hey randy! This is me Usama. My broadband has a problem so i am viewing this site from my cell phone. It has given me a lot of trouble which others site havent. Plus takes a long time to load. Can u do anything about please……
I have no idea what the problem is, Usama, but I’ll try and see if I can make things better. And I hope your broadband is repaired soon!
Call your internet provider and make sure you tell them your issues. I’m sure they will help. Try to restart your modem/router, clean cookies, etc. Good luck.
I agree that Diaby might make a good replacement…We will need more than Arshavin and Eduardo (and Vela and Walcott when they get healthy) to lead our attack…
Another interesting idea I think would be Nasri…he is a player very similar to RvP…strong shot, excellent vision, not easily knocked off the ball…since Nasri arrived, I’ve read several stories where Wenger heralds Nasri’s ability to play almost anywhere
I didn’t have interent all weekend so whenever I finally read about RvP’s injury my heart stopped…it’s funny but I had a bad feeling that he would get injured this break…My first thought was there goes our season, but once I recovered from the shock I realized that we have the ability to cope and keep up our excellent form as long as everyone else stays healthy
Nice idea, it’s a shame he is injured as well.
Yep, Diaby is injured! Please, no more bad news!!!!! What bad luck!
Been informed of this insane Idea! Randy here is the mental health help line 0845 766 0136.
Diaby is that bad I would actually think he would fail in a Diaby look a like competition. The fact your obviously a armchair fan, the guy is lazy he can’t take he takes on 3 players like he thinks he has the ability to do it! Most of our attacks break down when Diaby goes near the ball. Seriously if you want to write a blog write something a bit better than that!
Move AA up front with Eduardo, and Nasri takes AA slot on the left. Consider, Ramsey in the mix, and of course, Rosicky to cause damage, as well!
Diaby, is out so we can forget about him replacing, RVP! Besides the Chelsea game we are facing an earlier challenge with injury woes! This will measure our strength. Let’s have faith…we will be fine without RVP while he is recovering. I do NOT think our momentum will change at all!
absolutely disagrees with you, sorry to say, but for me van persie position as deep lying forward is one of the key success of arsenal this year, and that position required (beside an eye for a goal, good first touch, and the ability to hold up the ball) a vision to pass, to make a clever pass for the running winger or midfielder.,
and for me diaby didn’t armored with that attribute, it is even one of his weak point, so for me the idea of diaby being striker is nonsense, just leave him in his box-to-box midfielder role, he is magnificent there, and give the striker slot for eduardo, i believe he can do the job..
Yes diaby would be the best option,
if it was a friendly youth preseason game.
i mean there lots of talented natural strikers
@arsenal why not give’em a chance???????????????
jay simpson…why keep on sending him on loan?
good thing vela is available and eduardo, these two combined up front we’ll need calculators to get the goals hitting oponents nets