Abou Diaby profile
Name
Abou Diaby
Born
May 11, 1986
Paris, France
Position
Midfielder
Squad Number
2
Previous Club(s)
Auxerre
Joined Arsenal
January 13, 2006
Arsenal Debut
Everton (a)
Premier League
January 21, 2006
Lost 0-1
First Arsenal Goal
Aston Villa (h)
Premier League
April 01, 2006
Won 5-0
Abou will be hoping to establish himself in the centre of midfield this season after the summer departures of Mathieu Flamini and Gilberto.
The form of Flamini forced Abou to settle for a left-sided role last term. His strength, technical ability and clever manipulation of the ball made the 22-year-old a useful outlet but injuries restricted him to 28 appearances in all competitions.
Nonetheless, when fit and on form, there are few brighter prospects in French football.
Wherever he plays, Abou is capable of popping up with a goal or two. His rasping drive against Derby was one of the goals of last season and a strong surge into the box brought a crucial Champions League goal at Anfield late in the campaign.
A graduate of the famous Clairefontaine Academy near Paris, Abou captained France Under-19s to success in the 2005 European Championship and is currently on the fringes of the senior squad.
MY YEAR
May
Abou started three of May’s five fixtures and was among the substitutes for the others. His undoubted highlight came in the month’s final match when he rose majestically to nod Arsenal’s third goal in their 4-1 victory against Stoke on May 24.
April
Abou sandwiched 90 minutes in the FA Cup Semi-Final on April 18 with substitute appearances against Villarreal and Liverpool. The Frenchman’s last action of the month came off the bench against Middlesbrough on the 26th.
March
Abou started four of the six March fixtures and came on as a substitute in the other two. The Frenchman fired home his spot-kick in Rome and then went on to notch against Newcastle in the Premier League on March 21. After the strike at St James’ Park, Arsène Wenger likened Abou to Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira. “There are similarities,” said Wenger. “They are the same stature and the same size and have the similar style.”
2. Abou Diaby - Full Arsenal Record
| Prem Lge | Europe | FA Cup | Lge Cup | C. Shield | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Ap | Gl | Ap | Gl | Ap | Gl | Ap | Gl | Ap | Gl | Ap | Gl |
| 2005-2006 | 9+3 | 1 | 0+2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11+5 | 1 |
| 2006-2007 | 9+3 | 1 | 0+1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13+5 | 1 |
| 2007-2008 | 9+6 | 1 | 5+1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4+1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 20+8 | 4 |
| 2008-2009 | 16+8 | 3 | 5+2 | 1 | 4+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25+11 | 4 |
| Totals | 43+20 | 6 | 10+6 | 3 | 8+1 | 0 | 8+2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 69+29 | 10 |
Key:
- Prem Lge = Barclays Premier League
- C. Shield = Community Shield
- Europe = UEFA Champions League
- Ap = Appearances
- FA Cup = FA Cup sponsored by E-on
- Gl = Goals Scored
- Lge Cup = Carling Cup
Abou Diaby - News
-
Tue, Jun 2, 2009
TV Online: My Top Three - Abou Diaby -
Wed, Apr 29, 2009
Diaby - Emirates win can be a good lesson -
Tue, Apr 14, 2009
Diaby back but Djourou out of Villarreal tie -
Tue, Mar 24, 2009
Backstreet to Pro: Abou Diaby - Part Three -
Mon, Mar 23, 2009
Wenger - Diaby has the power of Vieira -
Fri, Feb 27, 2009
Diaby springs fitness 'surprise' for Fulham -
Wed, Feb 25, 2009
TV Online: Diaby - We will be careful in Rome -
Mon, Feb 23, 2009
Diaby set to return for Champions League tie -
Mon, Feb 16, 2009
My Perfect Footballer: Midfielder Abou Diaby -
Sat, Jan 31, 2009
Diaby to miss Spurs clash through suspension
