I do think it’s a positional problem. He wants and needs first team action, and is contempt playing where he is NEEDED to. I think his perfect position is just behind the striker. He gets himself into too much trouble any further back. He has the skill to weave in and out of defenders and then he has to either lay it off for the shot or take it on himself. But with him being more senior and has more experience in our squad, whether central or out on the left,he gets the nod over more acomplished or better suited midfielders i.e Ramsey, Merida, Barazite etc.. But truthfully thinking, IF all our first team was back, he would be relegated to the bench, with the likes of Denilson, Nasri, Walcott and Rosicky coming back to full fitness. I wont say he was alot of work to do, in the Fulham game he as well as others were not upto scratch. But just look at the individual work he done to get us back into the Standard game to set Bendtner up, without that goal, I believe we wouldn’t have got that result. We needed that he brought and alot of luck. IMO.

Win, Lose or Draw.. Gooner Til I Die!!

Abou Dabi or Abou Diaby which ever one. I think the guy sucks. I will rather go for Ramsey than him. I understand he is a good finisher, but if u look at the fulham match, he almost cost us the game with his constant loss of possession. I wont nail the guy because I have developed a thick skin with whatever decision Wenger makes.

I think Diaby needs a confidence booster, after the home game against Pompy when he got two, I doubt many people questioned him then, however after the game against United, he was criminal #1. If he cut out the silly mistakes and had a solid run of 5 or 6 games, I think he could become quite a good player.

Denilson and Song look a lot more comfortable in the two more defensive midfields positions, as Diaby has a tendancy to get forward, leaving us a little exposed, so it’s rather unfortunate for him that he has Cesc, Rosicky, Nasri and Arshavin to contest with for the attacking role.

Maybe starting him against some of the lesser sides or the games we really should win, like Olympiacos tonight, Birmingham, Alkmaar at home or even the Liverpool CC game, where he won’t be up against Gerrard, Torres or Mascherano, would give hime the chance to shine and show what he can do.

We’ve enough, ‘easy’ fixtures over the next two months whilst Denilson is out for hime to show what he can do, although if by the end of the year, after a full year of first team football, he’s not up to it I do think Mr. Wenger should start looking for a replacement.

Any news on when Nasri is back btw??

Its funny how people are no longer condemning song/denilson and are even miffed that denilson will be out for 2 months. Nobody ever thought galas will get better but he did. i think someone just needs to wake diaby’s football brain up. he holds the ball too much. If he stops getting himself into precarious situation, he will be better BUT i think he is better coming off the bench for now. He is not a 90min player for now.

Let’s not forget, he missed close to two whole seasons of football due to injuries and having other players ahead of him. Let’s give him some more time. At the very least, until the end of this season, provided he plays a large number of games. If he gets injured or isn’t played much, how does one expect him to improve ?! He definitely has talent. He’s a bit slow at times and loses possession maybe due to concentration issues. But hopefully in time he’ll improve. Denilson and Song both have improved over the past couple of seasons and Wenger’s a genius, we know that. So let’s give him the benefit of the doubt.

I agree with you Faith. I think Diaby is a very attacking midfielder or support striker. His best position is either behind the striker or in the attacking midfield role out of the 3 midfielders that we play. But we’ve been playing Cesc in that role sometimes, so it’s a tough one. Cesc has improved but I think he still lacks a bit in the final third. He has a striker’s instinct but he lacks the sharpness to finish. Ultimately however, Arshavin, Rosicky and Nasri are better suited for that role.

Based on the present season and what I’ve seen so far from whoever’s played I feel our best formation with the following players is, in my opinion, our strongest team :
Almunia
Sagna Gallas Vermaelen Clichy
Fabregas Song
Eboue Arshavin Rosicky
VanPersie

Please, please please let’s not move to another scapegoat. We’ev booed Eboue, ousted Ade now we press the self-destruct button further by attacking another player who is only 22. Listen. Diaby is a class player. We all know the Murinho has been after him since he joined arsenal. I feel he is a victim of the formation. His best role in similar to Lampard behind a lone striker in 4-5-1. Remember how he played against Fenerbahçe, just behind Ade, last season and we won 5-2 he was unstoppable. We can not play 3-5-1 now ‘cos no Ade. In 4-3-3 Wenger must decide whom he gets the best out: Fabregas or Diby and he’s chosen Fab. So Fab has pretty much carte blance but Diaby must keep one eye on position and defence. It’s the same way that Lampard’s and Gerrard’s brilliance were stifled by the formation played by the England team. Diaby is still very young for a Midfielder and is thus still very versatile. He will grasp his new role very soon and stun all the playerhaters.

I find this a very deep question in deed. To me, Diaby typifies Arsenal Fc. Glimpes of talent, bankable potential, clearly above average, trying very hard to fit in the shoes of history while oblivious to the fact that things have changed. Good glimpses alone will not lake anyone past the dance floor

Leeroy – you really think Diaby will get better? I think he gets worse in every game!!! But point taken, he’s got something somewhere – and Ramsey is not perfect!!

But Denilson out for 2 months???? Ouch!

I have to say YES, as I always have said. I think it’s just his football brain that needs to be questioned. He does show glimpses of talent and levels of maturity, but it isn’t consistant with his performances I have to admit. I personally believe he possess the talent and mind-set, and he is at an age young enough to improve at all levels of his game. IMPO. I love all our players some have been questionable in performances and levels. Ramsey is an excellent player and will continue to get better. He too gets caught up in his own decision making as well holding onto the ball too long or taking that extra touch, but again he is at the perfect age to fine tune everything he needs to. As is the main factor going through most of the team, having to either find their new form and/or what they are best at or find their old form and where they were because of injuries.

Win, ose or Draw.. Gooner Til I Die!!

Diaby will never get better… would prefer to have Ramsey in there with Song, he’s definitely on the way up!