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28 March 2024

Arsenal to battle Chelsea for Diaby cover: Yann M'Vila

Yann M'Vila of France reacts during the UEFA Euro quarter-final against Spain at Donbass Arena on June 23 in Donetsk, Ukraine. (GETTY)

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By Staff

A bidding war may ensue to for Rennes holding midfielder Yann M'Vila.

Arsenal, at one-stage, pre-season, clear favourites to snatch the £12m-talent from France, now will have to seriously consider chasing him again.

Abou Diaby is injured, could be out for a month and then, could struggle to get back to the kind of form he has displayed early in the season.

The power, pace and ball control that Diaby has is what M’Vila promises and while the Gunners have the nous of Mikel Arteta and the creative dazzle of Santi Cazorla, the sheer presence of a Diaby-type player will be needed.

In fact, so highly rates is M’Vila that any suggestion that he is on the block could have several clubs, Chelsea included, lining up to sign on the talent.

Ironically, in the pre-season Wenger had said Arsenal did not need to buy another central midfielder because Abou Diaby was fit and ready to return.

At the time Wenger was quoted as saying: "When you look, we have (Alex) Song, (Aaron) Ramsey, (Francis) Coquelin, Wilshere, (Mikel) Arteta and Diaby. In defensive midfielders and box-to-box players we are not short if they are all coming back."

Song is gone, Wilshere is only just returning and will not be rushed and now, Diaby is out.

M’Vila may be needed after all.