It is Diarra not Diaby who most resembles PV4

When Abou Diaby first arrived at Arsenal in January 2006, fans and pundits alike were quick to hail him as the new Vieira, the physical resemblance was obvious, but tellingly his penetrating central runs were highly reminiscent of our former talisman. Two years later the comparisons are looking nothing more than cosmetic. When Gilberto or Flamini have been unavailable in the time Diaby has been at the club Wenger has never entrusted him with defensive responsibilities, instead he has operated on the left wing, or inexplicably, as a second striker! Whatever Diaby’s future I can’t see him in the centre of the park long term.

Having watched Lasanna Diarra in the last two games in his preferred position of central midfield, I can safely say the opposite is true of this young man. At 22 he could play centrally at Arsenal for years to come. Diarra has comprehensively outplayed the older, more experienced Gilberto in both recent matches, passing with precision and accuracy and tackling with steel and timing. Central to his game is the ability to hold on to the ball in tight, restricted circumstances. His low centre of gravity, close control and considerable strength sees him resist countless challenges, drawing increasing numbers of opposition players in to his space, before relaying the ball into the vacated zones, thus liberating the creative central, or wide players in the side. This ability has a simultaneously destructive and constructive function, in the first instance the ball is won and retained in midfield, breaking the flow of opposition attacks; this ball retention then drives the team forward whilst destabilising the positional security of the opposing midfielders, providing the space that facilitates our expansive game. Vieira did a similar thing, his glue like ball retention literally created yards for the likes of Henry, Pires and Bergkamp, it’s a positive form of defensive play which symbolises the Arsenal way.

What Diarra needs is games, and while I’m not about to suggest that he usurps the excellent Flamini as Cesc’s partner I would actively endorse him as our third choice midfielder. Gilberto looks a shadow of his former self and should be sold in the January transfer window, he’s been superb but players over 30 don’t survive in the post-invincible era.


David Forrest