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
“There are similarities,” said Arsène Wenger when comparing Abou Diaby to Patrick Vieira. “They are the same stature, the same size and have the similar style.”
In the eyes of Arsenal supporters there can be no higher praise.
The young French midfielder has all the attributes to fill the boots of his veteran compatriot – strength, skills, vision and a rasping shot from distance. All he needs is a consistent, injury-free season.
Diaby’s flashes of brilliance have been interrupted by spells on the treatment table. However he has proved a versatile addition to the squad with the ability to play anywhere in midfield – left, centre or ‘in the hole’.
A healthy tally of 31 starts in the Premier League and Champions League in 2008/09 suggests Diaby is becoming increasing established as a first-team starter.
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
October
Abou scored Arsenal's second in the 3-1 win over Birmingham in October but accepted that the team switched off after his goal, allowing Lee Bowyer to make it 2-1. Diaby also attended a Members' question and answer session at Emirates Stadium, giving fans an insight into his life on and off the field.
September
Abou started five of Arsenal's six fixtures in September, sitting out the Carling Cup victory against West Brom. The Frenchman crafted the goal that pulled the Gunners back into the Standard Liege match with a superb through-ball to goalscorer Nicklas Bendtner. Arsène Wenger's side went on to win the match 3-2.
August
Abou missed out on the Premier League kick-off with a groin injury, but returned as a substitute in the 2-0 win at Celtic in the first leg of the Champions League Play-Off. He started the following match against Portsmouth and quickly made his mark with goals in the 18th and 21st minutes as Arsenal won 4-1. Diaby outlined his three aims for the season as being to stay fit, win trophies with Arsenal, and then spend the summer in South Africa with the French national team.
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 |
| 2009-2010 | 10 | 3 | 5+1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15+1 | 4 |
| Totals | 53+20 | 9 | 15+7 | 4 | 8+1 | 0 | 8+2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 84+30 | 14 |
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, Nov 17, 2009
Diaby's Poppy shirt nets £820 for charity -
Thu, Nov 12, 2009
Win Diaby's signed 'poppy' shirt -
Thu, Nov 12, 2009
Win Diaby's signed 'poppy' shirt on Friday! -
Mon, Nov 9, 2009
TV Online: The Perfect Match - Abou Diaby -
Thu, Nov 5, 2009
How much do you know about Abou Diaby? -
Thu, Nov 5, 2009
TV Online: Diaby - We scored quality goals -
Wed, Nov 4, 2009
TV Online: Fans' Q&A with Diaby and Eboue -
Tue, Nov 3, 2009
Diaby - Wenger was frustrated on Saturday -
Tue, Nov 3, 2009
Diaby - I am stronger and more focused now -
Tue, Nov 3, 2009
Wenger - Diaby instincts are hard to curb
