Player Profile

2. Abou Diaby

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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
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