Diaby destroys Wenger’s Arsenal claims

Is Arsenal already out of the title race?

By
  • Staff
Published

Abou Diaby in all his glory in front of the Stoke goal yesterday was a hurtful reminder to the legions of Gunners’ faithful why season number 8 without a trophy beckons.

Diaby received the ball in the centre of the penalty area, no more than eight yards from goal, but dawdles and then falls over, before skewing his shot wide.

Remember Diaby’s inexplicable own goal against Manchester United a few seasons ago? 

Why is he still there, while Robin Van Persie and Alex Song have been sold? 

No amount of profit from those sales is going to ease the pain of not being able to win matches. And until Arsenal win… a title, not just a game, questions about the sale of Song and RVP are not going to stop. 

Can one rule out an Arsenal move for Cheik Tiote?

Almost certainly. It does not make business sense. Newcastle’s asking price may well be too much for Arsene Wenger. 

Arsenal need to solve their creativity in the attacking third and while Giroud may still prove to a good buy, the Diaby, Ramsey, Walcott, to give them the benefit of the doubt, may take until Christmas to get in to their stride.

The Premier League title will be long out of reach by then.

Had Gervinho not spent so much time on the bench last season – what was Wenger thinking? Van Persie forever? – he may have been ready to be more clinical.

Gervinho, in fact, now looks like a new signing and is playing like one as well.

Mikael Arleta remains the key. At least until Santi Cazorla is up to speed.

Until then, Abou Diaby will be a harsh reminder of how a ‘selling’ club struggles to cope with balancing making a profit and winning titles.

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Comments

  • SDA 27 August 2012 20:47 2 0
    Yeah Diaby missed a chance but he's still been one of the better players in the team in his 2 games so far. The problem lies with Giroud and Arteta, we need wilshere back and an established striker with Giroud playing in cups and the champions league until for a season.
  • Kamara 27 August 2012 17:20 3 1
    Why victimise one player? He had a slip up in the penalty area once. He's just returned into competitive action so it'll take him a few matches to settle down. He's detrimental to Arsenals future this season cause of his talent. His defensive work was good yesterday, he constantly attacked the ball on corners and distracted crouch. He's an incredible player, fans must stay loyal.
  • Sandra Tang 27 August 2012 14:13 3 3
    Why did Wenger sell Van Persie and Song? The reason is simple, the Arsenal is now a selling club. They are playing second fiddle to the Manchesters. They will provide ammunition to the either Manchester. Which of the two get the appropriate mix shall win the title. While for the Arsenal as long as they achieve either 3 or 4 fourth in the league, that is already an achievement for the board. Given the fact that the board is only concern about their financial interest and not medals.
  • jeddahgunner 27 August 2012 13:35 1 7
    Abou diaby was yesterday in the 2nd halftime better.I think he will improve soon.I think the problem is Podolsky,in Germany they say about him he can play only by F.C.Koeln,that why he did't sucseed elsewhere.
  • nobert 27 August 2012 12:53 4 1
    I beg to differ. I think diaby is a sad reminder of how our players and club have been in the past. I don't think its fair to judge a player by singular incidents. Why not appreciate his obvious talent. For me he was the only player close to Santi on the field. Barring injury he is going to be one of our massive players for the season. I hope you won't say the same when Jack comes back from injury!
  • jw 27 August 2012 12:18 2 0
    when have we ever used the 'Diaby-Ramsey-Walcott trio!?'
  • LP 27 August 2012 12:13 4 2
    Diaby was pathetically slow and lumbering. Actually he made Mertsacker look quick on his feet.
  • EIE 27 August 2012 12:00 2 8
    Wenger out!
  • Samuel 27 August 2012 11:35 1 3
    Yep. Again Wenger says Please give them time before u judge. Please Arsene show us something...
  • Ahmad 27 August 2012 11:04 6 0
    Another draw and arsenal will be out of the tittle race)??? so you mean to say that MANU, MANC and LIV are all one draw away to lose the tittle and CHL must beat Swansea to get the tittle.

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  Team P W D L GD PTS
1 = Man Utd 38 28 5 5 43 89
2 = Man City 38 23 9 6 32 78
3 = Chelsea 38 22 9 7 36 75
4 = Arsenal 38 21 10 7 35 73
5 = Tottenham 38 21 9 8 20 72
6 = Everton 38 16 15 7 15 63
7 = Liverpool 38 16 13 9 28 61
8 = West Brom 38 14 7 17 -4 49
9 = Swansea 38 11 13 14 -4 46
10 = West Ham 38 12 10 16 -8 46
11 = Norwich 38 10 14 14 -17 44
12 = Fulham 38 11 10 17 -10 43
13 = Stoke 38 9 15 14 -11 42
14 = Southampton 38 9 14 15 -11 41
15 = Aston Villa 38 10 11 17 -22 41
16 = Newcastle 38 11 8 19 -23 41
17 = Sunderland 38 9 12 17 -13 39
18 = Wigan 38 9 9 20 -26 36
19 = Reading 38 6 10 22 -30 28
20 = QPR 38 4 13 21 -30 25

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