Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Abou Diaby
Vassiriki Abou Diaby (born May 11, 1986 in Paris) is a French football midfielder of Ivorian descent currently playing for Arsenal. He normally plays central midfielder but as of late has been playing on either wing for Arsenal.
Early career
Diaby was born in Paris and joined the hometown club Paris Saint-Germain at age 13 despite being a Marseille supporter, subsequently leaving the club two years later.[2]
He joined Auxerre in 2003 and was a member of the Auxerre team that won the national U-16 championship that year. His coach at the time, Christian Henna, described him as a "very good technician, elegant, quick".[3] He developed into a tall, powerful midfielder.
He signed as a professional at Auxerre, playing five matches in 2004–05 and five in the first half of 2005–06. His first match for Auxerre's first team came as a last-minute substitute against Rennes on August 14, 2004.[4]
He joined Auxerre in 2003 and was a member of the Auxerre team that won the national U-16 championship that year. His coach at the time, Christian Henna, described him as a "very good technician, elegant, quick".[3] He developed into a tall, powerful midfielder.
He signed as a professional at Auxerre, playing five matches in 2004–05 and five in the first half of 2005–06. His first match for Auxerre's first team came as a last-minute substitute against Rennes on August 14, 2004.[4]
Arsenal
On January 12, 2006, Diaby signed for Arsenal for a fee believed to be around £2m. Before joining the Gunners, he reportedly turned down a move to Arsenal's rivals Chelsea. He wears the number 2 shirt at Arsenal, which had been vacant since the retirement of Lee Dixon. Diaby has been touted as the replacement for former Gunners midfielder Patrick Vieira, due to his powerful, leggy style of play. He is able to play as an attacking midfielder, an athletic box-to-box midfield "schemer" or in a holding role in front of the back four.
He made his Arsenal début as a substitute in a 1–0 defeat to Everton on January 21, 2006. On April 1, Diaby came off the bench to score his first goal for Arsenal, in their 5–0 rout of Aston Villa, after being set-up by fellow Arsenal newcomer Emmanuel Adebayor. A month later however, on May 1, 2006, Diaby suffered a broken and dislocated ankle caused by a two-footed challenge by Sunderland's Dan Smith. As a result of the injury, Diaby was out for eight months, and returned to competitive action on January 9, 2007, when he came on as a substitute for Theo Walcott in Arsenal's League Cup Quarter-Final against Liverpool.
In the 2007 Carling Cup Final in Cardiff, Diaby was involved in an accidental collision with John Terry. Diaby's foot impacted with the left side of Terry's jaw, with Terry feeling the full force of the strike and ending up unconscious on the pitch for several minutes. The Chelsea captain was hospitalised but was released from hospital later that afternoon with no apparent long term injury.
He made a rather bright start in the 2007–08 season. Arsène Wenger often played him in the left flank to improve his vision and decision making which he sometimes lacked playing at midfield. He made an early impact in the game against Derby County, playing in the place of the injured Tomáš Rosický and scoring with a 25-yard strike.
On December 12, 2007 he scored his first ever goal in the UEFA Champions League against Steaua Bucharest, opening the scoring for Arsenal in their 2–1 win. On March 29, 2008, Diaby received his first red card for Arsenal against Bolton F.C., after a late tackle on Gretar Rafn Steinsson.
He scored his second Champions League goal for Arsenal on April 8, 2008, opening the scoring and giving Arsenal the advantage over Liverpool F.C. at Anfield. He then suffered an injury.
After the departure of Mathieu Flamini to AC Milan, Diaby is expected to compete with Denilson and Alexandre Song for a place partnering Cesc Fabregas in midfield.
He made his Arsenal début as a substitute in a 1–0 defeat to Everton on January 21, 2006. On April 1, Diaby came off the bench to score his first goal for Arsenal, in their 5–0 rout of Aston Villa, after being set-up by fellow Arsenal newcomer Emmanuel Adebayor. A month later however, on May 1, 2006, Diaby suffered a broken and dislocated ankle caused by a two-footed challenge by Sunderland's Dan Smith. As a result of the injury, Diaby was out for eight months, and returned to competitive action on January 9, 2007, when he came on as a substitute for Theo Walcott in Arsenal's League Cup Quarter-Final against Liverpool.
In the 2007 Carling Cup Final in Cardiff, Diaby was involved in an accidental collision with John Terry. Diaby's foot impacted with the left side of Terry's jaw, with Terry feeling the full force of the strike and ending up unconscious on the pitch for several minutes. The Chelsea captain was hospitalised but was released from hospital later that afternoon with no apparent long term injury.
He made a rather bright start in the 2007–08 season. Arsène Wenger often played him in the left flank to improve his vision and decision making which he sometimes lacked playing at midfield. He made an early impact in the game against Derby County, playing in the place of the injured Tomáš Rosický and scoring with a 25-yard strike.
On December 12, 2007 he scored his first ever goal in the UEFA Champions League against Steaua Bucharest, opening the scoring for Arsenal in their 2–1 win. On March 29, 2008, Diaby received his first red card for Arsenal against Bolton F.C., after a late tackle on Gretar Rafn Steinsson.
He scored his second Champions League goal for Arsenal on April 8, 2008, opening the scoring and giving Arsenal the advantage over Liverpool F.C. at Anfield. He then suffered an injury.
After the departure of Mathieu Flamini to AC Milan, Diaby is expected to compete with Denilson and Alexandre Song for a place partnering Cesc Fabregas in midfield.
International career
Diaby has been capped 14 times for the France U-19 side, captaining the team in their successful U-19 European Championship campaign in 2005. In February 2006, he made his début with the France U-21 squad.
Diaby missed the 2006 UEFA Champions League Final against FC Barcelona, as well as the UEFA U-21 Championship 2006, in which he was expected to take part with France, due to a broken and dislocated ankle.
On March 15, 2007, he was called up to the French senior squad for their two forthcoming fixtures, making his début for France on March 24 when he came on for Florent Malouda in a Euro 2008 qualifier against Lithuania. He then gained a starting place in the following match, against Austria, playing 57 minutes, ending in a 1–0 victory for France.
Diaby missed the 2006 UEFA Champions League Final against FC Barcelona, as well as the UEFA U-21 Championship 2006, in which he was expected to take part with France, due to a broken and dislocated ankle.
On March 15, 2007, he was called up to the French senior squad for their two forthcoming fixtures, making his début for France on March 24 when he came on for Florent Malouda in a Euro 2008 qualifier against Lithuania. He then gained a starting place in the following match, against Austria, playing 57 minutes, ending in a 1–0 victory for France.
Profile at arsenal.com
Abou is graduate of the famous Clairefontaine Academy in Paris and captained France Under-19s to success in the European Championship of 2005.
The tall, powerful midfielder was signed from Auxerre in Janaury 2006 but at the end of that season suffered a nasty ankle injury at Sunderland. It kept him sidelined until January 2007 but two months later he made his debut for the French national side and by the end of the season he was back to his combative self in central midfield.
My Year
April
Abou’s thunderous effort against Liverpool at Anfield in the Champions League was undoubtedly the highlight of his month. He served a domestic suspension in the early part of April and, in a bid to raise his fitness levels, featured for the Reserve team. However he suffered a thigh injury before half-time of the second-string fixture and did not feature again. He will not play again this season.
March
Abou was dismissed in the final game of March, at Bolton. His red card came a week after he made a return from injury in the defeat at Chelsea. The Frenchman had sat out the draws with Wigan and Middlesbrough.
February
After completing 90 minutes for the Gunners against Manchester City, a calf injury robbed Abou of any further game time in February.
January
Abou was in fine form for the Gunners during January, featuring six times. The gangly Frenchman helped the Club through two FA Cup ties and now seems well at home on the left side of midfield. He ended the month by signing a new contract at Arsenal.
December
December finished strongly for Abou. Having scored against Blackburn in the Carling Cup, the Frenchman came off the bench against Portsmouth and started against Everton, setting up the final goal. He had earlier played in the Champions League win over Steaua Bucharest.
November
Abou's only 90 minutes for the Club came in the goalless draw with Slavia Prague. With a host of midfielders performing well, the Frenchman is having to reinforce his claim after an injury-hit campaign so far.
October
Abou had limited chances in the first-team during October. He featured three times, starting against Sunderland and Sheffield United and appearing late-on at home to Bolton. Still only 21 and maturing on the pitch, the Frenchman will be hoping that he can force his way into the first team over the coming months.
The tall, powerful midfielder was signed from Auxerre in Janaury 2006 but at the end of that season suffered a nasty ankle injury at Sunderland. It kept him sidelined until January 2007 but two months later he made his debut for the French national side and by the end of the season he was back to his combative self in central midfield.
My Year
April
Abou’s thunderous effort against Liverpool at Anfield in the Champions League was undoubtedly the highlight of his month. He served a domestic suspension in the early part of April and, in a bid to raise his fitness levels, featured for the Reserve team. However he suffered a thigh injury before half-time of the second-string fixture and did not feature again. He will not play again this season.
March
Abou was dismissed in the final game of March, at Bolton. His red card came a week after he made a return from injury in the defeat at Chelsea. The Frenchman had sat out the draws with Wigan and Middlesbrough.
February
After completing 90 minutes for the Gunners against Manchester City, a calf injury robbed Abou of any further game time in February.
January
Abou was in fine form for the Gunners during January, featuring six times. The gangly Frenchman helped the Club through two FA Cup ties and now seems well at home on the left side of midfield. He ended the month by signing a new contract at Arsenal.
December
December finished strongly for Abou. Having scored against Blackburn in the Carling Cup, the Frenchman came off the bench against Portsmouth and started against Everton, setting up the final goal. He had earlier played in the Champions League win over Steaua Bucharest.
November
Abou's only 90 minutes for the Club came in the goalless draw with Slavia Prague. With a host of midfielders performing well, the Frenchman is having to reinforce his claim after an injury-hit campaign so far.
October
Abou had limited chances in the first-team during October. He featured three times, starting against Sunderland and Sheffield United and appearing late-on at home to Bolton. Still only 21 and maturing on the pitch, the Frenchman will be hoping that he can force his way into the first team over the coming months.
profile
French U-19 midfielder Vassiriki Abou Diaby became Arsenal's first signing of 2006 when he joined from Auxerre in January.
While the Gunners transfer window signing of 16-year-old Theo Walcott garnered all the press attention Diaby may be the more crucial player in the long term. He slipped in to Highbury almost unnoticed and then announced himself with some outstanding early performances that drew the inevitable comparison with Patrick Viera.
Even Arsene Wenger, normally keen to play down praise for his young Euro charges, was impressed. "He is strong, he is good on the ball, he has a great engine for 90 minutes and he is good in the air as well," said the Arsenal coach.
"In every game it looks like he is getting stronger. I am very surprised by how quickly he has adapted because it usually takes a long time."
Diaby was a product of the Auxerre youth system, but had barely broken into the first team before Arsenal, always appraised of promising young players in Europe, swooped to bring him to London.
He played 16 times in the 05/06 season and played a further 13 times in 06/07. He continued his development in 2007/08 and remains an exciting prospect for the Gunners' future.
While the Gunners transfer window signing of 16-year-old Theo Walcott garnered all the press attention Diaby may be the more crucial player in the long term. He slipped in to Highbury almost unnoticed and then announced himself with some outstanding early performances that drew the inevitable comparison with Patrick Viera.
Even Arsene Wenger, normally keen to play down praise for his young Euro charges, was impressed. "He is strong, he is good on the ball, he has a great engine for 90 minutes and he is good in the air as well," said the Arsenal coach.
"In every game it looks like he is getting stronger. I am very surprised by how quickly he has adapted because it usually takes a long time."
Diaby was a product of the Auxerre youth system, but had barely broken into the first team before Arsenal, always appraised of promising young players in Europe, swooped to bring him to London.
He played 16 times in the 05/06 season and played a further 13 times in 06/07. He continued his development in 2007/08 and remains an exciting prospect for the Gunners' future.
Arsenal complete signing of Diaby
Arsenal complete signing of Diaby
Auxerre's Vasiriki Abou Diaby has signed a four-year deal with Arsenal after rejecting advances from Chelsea.
Arsenal have sealed a move, thought to be for £2m, for the 19-year-old who held talks with Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho as well as Arsene Wenger.
Auxerre vice-president Gerard Bourgoin said Diaby met officials from both clubs in London on Wednesday and said: "The choice belonged to Diaby.
"But Arsene Wenger was better than Jose Mourinho, that's all."
Arsenal boss Wenger said: "He is a strong midfielder and has shown huge potential during his time at Auxerre.
"He will be a tremendous addition to our squad."
And Diaby added: "I am so happy to have signed for Arsenal.
"The club has great history and a squad which is full of high quality players. I'm looking forward to a successful career here."
Auxerre chief Bourgoin claimed Diaby, who has made three first-team appearances for Auxerre this season, was being sold as he is surplus to requirements at the Abbe-Deschamps.
"We have always kept the young players which our coach wanted to use. But Diaby did not play, so this was a strategic sale for us."
Auxerre coach Jacques Santini, however, seemed disappointed to be losing another player after striker Benjani Mwaruwari moved to Portsmouth last week.
"My players sell. After Benjani and Diaby, I should maybe expect some more departures," said the former France and Tottenham coach.
"Abou was one of the players I used at the start of the season and then he had to stop because of repetitive injuries.
"Maybe he was attracted by England and the money there. This probably did not force him to make all the necessary efforts to come back to his best level with us."
Auxerre's Vasiriki Abou Diaby has signed a four-year deal with Arsenal after rejecting advances from Chelsea.
Arsenal have sealed a move, thought to be for £2m, for the 19-year-old who held talks with Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho as well as Arsene Wenger.
Auxerre vice-president Gerard Bourgoin said Diaby met officials from both clubs in London on Wednesday and said: "The choice belonged to Diaby.
"But Arsene Wenger was better than Jose Mourinho, that's all."
Arsenal boss Wenger said: "He is a strong midfielder and has shown huge potential during his time at Auxerre.
"He will be a tremendous addition to our squad."
And Diaby added: "I am so happy to have signed for Arsenal.
"The club has great history and a squad which is full of high quality players. I'm looking forward to a successful career here."
Auxerre chief Bourgoin claimed Diaby, who has made three first-team appearances for Auxerre this season, was being sold as he is surplus to requirements at the Abbe-Deschamps.
"We have always kept the young players which our coach wanted to use. But Diaby did not play, so this was a strategic sale for us."
Auxerre coach Jacques Santini, however, seemed disappointed to be losing another player after striker Benjani Mwaruwari moved to Portsmouth last week.
"My players sell. After Benjani and Diaby, I should maybe expect some more departures," said the former France and Tottenham coach.
"Abou was one of the players I used at the start of the season and then he had to stop because of repetitive injuries.
"Maybe he was attracted by England and the money there. This probably did not force him to make all the necessary efforts to come back to his best level with us."
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