Abou Diaby divides opinion like nobody else at Arsenal. There are some who think he is a special talent and there are those who believe that he is overrated, lazy and a liability. I think the negative perception of Diaby is a little unfair at times. He is often accused with criticism that he does not pass the ball quick enough or that he dribbles into traffic. Similar things have been said of Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott not so long ago. Ramsey was accused only last season of taking too many touches on the ball and Walcott was known to run into traffic. The difference with them and Abou Diaby is that of age but whether you are a young player or an experienced one, all players need games, momentum, and continuity. Without that players will make errors. Abou Diaby has spent most of his pitch time in the last few years trying to catch up and regain match sharpness while others around him already have it.
It was only last season (or was it the one before that) that I thought Rambo could prove to be Mikel Arteta's longer term replacement. Remember when Arteta picked up an injury for a few weeks and Ramsey filled that role very well. In fact I vaguely remember that being the time where he started to simplify his game a little. He was taking a little too much time on the ball before that and made mistakes but playing as the deepest midfielder he was moping up, keeping possession and ultimately that might have done him some good.
Manchester City were minutes away from losing at home to Sunderland but for Vito Mannone error but a draw will do City no good after losing to Liverpool. But that is the Premier League, every team is capable of dropping points which is why it is great news for us that we are getting some more quality fit and ready for the final push. Had this have been a month or so earlier then we may even be rubbing our hands at the prospect of a title fight but there is little point crying over what might have been. Even with those players fit we may have still dropped the same amount of points, I doubt it but we will never know. Arsène Wenger has told us in his press conference that Mesut Özil and Nacho Monreal will be back for the weekend, that boost on top of the freshness of
Even if Arsene never spends a penny again, we will always be able to show off our resources to a potential Wenger replacement whenever that time comes. Our club is in fantastic shape, the squad has a very good average age with plenty of scope for player improvements. This is not an 'accident' this is something our manager has worked very hard towards. So while Arsene Wenger has his faults some of those perhaps self defeating at times I am fully aware of his strengths and unlike some,
Looking back at the Chelsea display you can't help but feel that his defensive game has been missed massively at times, especially in the big games where we do not always have the ball. I remember reading earlier on in the season how Ramsey was among the top scorers if not the top scorer as well as completing the most amount of successful tackles in the league. You can twist stats however which way you choose but that really is as black and white as it gets. A player who was on top of his game at both ends of the pitch.
Almost as if his player valuations are detrimental rather than a club strength. The next sentence I would expect to hear is something along the lines of 'We need a David Dein type, who can strike while the iron is hot, pay the extra monies and seal the deal. Arsene just hands over his list and off Deintype goes and comes back the player' cigar in hand, tie loosened and two top, super, super quality signings underneath his arms.
As good as it was having Rosicky out there on the weekend it will be great to have Özil refreshed and back in the side. The criticism of him has been crazy. How long ago was the Manchester United game? Who was our best player that night? How long ago was the Southampton game? He was the only one pushing us forward that game. On the contrary, I get the sense that Mesut is actually about to go on a good run of form. There are some good signs. As I already explained he has been our best player in recent games, started the Bayern game in good shape but the Ox will help him play his game. The pre assist for Podolski's goal against Liverpool. Us playing high up the pitch with more runners will also help him massively. I am pretty certain that we won't have to wait until very long before his doubters go missing. That is what tends to happen you see.