Is Diaby a crazy answer to striking problems?
OK, hear me out on this one. I know Abou Diaby is never the most popular with Arsenal fans, principally because he shows glimpses of his talents far too briefly, burying them amongst a rag tag collection of below-par performances.
But with the January transfer window nearly upon us and the rumour mill slowly clinking into gear, it is inevitable that Arsene Wenger will opt against spending his Man City-funded war chest and look within to plug the gaps in his side.
It seems a safe football bet that the main problem is a lack of height and physical strength. We are overloaded with tricky, clever, but little players. The likes of Walcott, Fabregas and Nasri are nice to watch, but when faced with thugs like Christopher Samba or Paul McShane they are battered out of the game too easily.
After his performance at Anfield I would like to see Arshavin push on up front more often. He does tend to float out of games but just like against Liverpool, he has the ability to score goals out of nothing.
But in order for that to happen he needs a presence alongside him. Diaby is big, tall and strong and potentially could be a foil for the Russian magician.
It’s not ideal I know, and I imagine many Arsenal fans will think I am insane, but I am only trying to think like Wenger, who appears allergic to buying players at the moment.
In a perfect world I believe someone like Edin Dzeko would fit well into Arsenal’s system. Prolific last year, he has carried his form into this season and looked impressive in the Champions League. However, he is very much the man-of-the-moment and I can see any bidding war sending his asking price spiralling.
In the meantime, why not try something different? Everton last year picked up results when they had no fit strikers, instead turning to Tim Cahill and Fellaini to play up front, with the rest of the team playing to their strengths.
If Diaby could fill the Heskey England role (i.e. hold the ball up and let the rest do the creative stuff), it could allow the Arshavins and Fabregas’ the time and space to do what they do best.
And the thing that would please Wenger most is that it won’t cost him a penny!
Diaby looked like someone who has his mojo firmly on his side. I think your idea would be something for Wenger to seriously consider as even if he’s not scoring goals, the other front men aren’t either BUT it gives the shorter players more room to maneuver and time to get their mojo back as it eases some pressure off them. And if he does indeed manage to score goals, we then have a double whammy. Cheers!
I do not understand why everyone is looking down on Diaby. He has the ability to be a world class attacking midfielder he just needs confidence and 1 or 2 injury free seasons. I know for sure he has a problem of performing consistently but i don’t think it is fair to sacrifice him in the front so that the others can do what they do best. Diaby is good in the middle and that is where he should play. If need be for a striker then Wenger should get a striker there is no other way out.
I don’t think that is too crazy. Hell, Wenger routinely played Diaby on the left to help develop his left foot… now that’s crazy! But IMHO Bendtner is perfect for this so-called “Heskey” role. He’s big, strong, holds the ball well and his link-up play is the best out of all our strikers. Why Wenger pushes him out wide and allows him to run at defenders I don’t understand. Go back and watch the League Cup matches where Bendtner was paired up with Eduardo or Vela and they terrorized defenses; even ones where they crowded the box. Now we just need him back from injury.
My two pence.
Hey i personally agree with you on this one but i still believe a striker is needed. Diaby has only showed glimpse of his talent and maybe the answer to getting him to be more consistent is to push him up forward more so i say lets try it but still buy a striker.
Honestly, Diaby has been my favorite arsenal player for a while and i think with an injury-free run of at least 2 months, he can really make his mark. However, I don’t see him playing as a striker. He is great in the midfield. If Vela, Walcott, and Eduardo can’t step up, i think we could get a striker (a real poacher) on loan. Pavlyuchenko?? Carlton Cole??
What do you all think?
Great idea.
Diaby up front works. Theres no doubt about it. I have seen Wenger play him as a lone striker a couple of years ago and he was good. Keep in mind Diaby is a young man. I think this year he and Song have been showing some true development. He is a definite presence on the pitch and would be ever present on the field if I were coach. We do need a striker, but since we do have a plethora of midfield players why not put him up front for a match or two until the transfers come in? If we go for a striker I say we go after the following: Amauri, Huntelaar, Dzenko, Darren Bent, Luis Suarez. In that order
i disagree with diaby up front as that he’s like a box – box midfield player who is very creative arsenal would lose his presence in the middle to strenghten the midfield also we would lose his creativity
Diaby has a great finish from midfield, Amauri and/or Huntelaar ftw?
this is the 3rd time for the week ive heard this diaby as a striker comment….
so many of us cant be so crazy! lol
the old saying its so crazy it just might work…fits this perfectly..
another example is what arsene did with henry….took a mediocre winger and created a world class legendary striker…
who knows if we gooners have a hidden gem of a striker in diaby?
i agree that Diaby is actually a good player, but I don’t think that putting him up front could really solve the problem, after all, Wenger is kinda short in the midfield too as many midfielders are injured over and over again. so i think maybe Wenger should keep Diaby in the middle along with Fabregas and Denilson/Nasri, and buy strikers instead. For who the right striker might be, I disagree with some of the comments above about Huntelaar. I don’t think Huntelaar will ever be effective in the Premier League. I don’t think I ever saw him proving his skills in any international competition. The only competition he ever did well in was Dutch League, if I’m not mistaken. So I’d personally would rather go for Dzeko(main priority, I think Wenger should buy him as long as the price is belom 30 mil), or Chamakh, or Carlton Cole. Those three are the best available big guys who I think can fit well to Arsenal’s attacking scheme.
diaby is a possbile solution, hes tall, fast, powerfull shots but just a little inconsistent.
If wengeris gonna go for a striker he shud get gignac or dzeko.
You’re definitely not mad. I’ve been saying this to for the last 3years or so in fact. After having his leg broken in the Sunderland game in his debut season, there is NOTHING defensive mid or winger about Abou and the striker crisis is forcing the professor’s hand. It’s not about not showing support to Diaby when he ploys the CM role…he’s just not suited and adds imbalance to an already less than efficient structure. I hope he keeps playing in the final third. Cheers!
Absolutely spot on. Abou has become immensely effective in the final third of the pitch and as his confidence has grown so has his contribution to our attacking play – two excellent goals in the last two games together with an assist speak for themselves especially the Hull goal where his physical strength held off two hefty defenders in the most impressive manner. He is also better in the air when attacking a goal than when defending. The timing for such headers is marginally but critically different. However,it would be inconceivable to think that the ever fertile mind of AW has not considered Abou in a forward
role. However, 13 points from the last 15 may well be sufficient encouragement to delay experimenting with a more forward role especially taking mid field injuries into account. As always AW will keep his cards close to his chest and long may that continue.
Nasri Arshavin Rosicky
Fabregas
Diaby
Denilson
Traore Vermaleen gallas Sangna
Almunia
This is the current squad, due to injuries and african cup.
Diaby is just amazing and in the event of fabregas being injurred, i prefer Diaby to be in that position.
If we buy chamack, we can bring Arshavin back on to the left and sub either nasri or rosicky in.
Can u imagine this squad when V.Persie, Clichy, Walcott, Gibb are fit. not to mention the likes of Ramsey, Wilshere, Merida, Watt, Barazite.
Its amazing Wenger manages to give all these players 1st team action. Diaby is becoming one of the best CM/CAM in the world and he can also tackle as he started of as a CDM. consistency i what we all hope 4. u can do it Diaby!
You have noted very interesting points ! ps nice web site .