Arsene Wenger is Right to Offer Abou Diaby a New Contract

During the international break, Arsene Wenger has been asked a whole host of questions ranging from Arsenal’s current form, possible transfer targets in January and just why his players seem unable to focus solely on defending when in a winning position.

However, one of the comments made by Arsene Wenger may well have slipped under the radar yet it is this comment that will perhaps once again split the Arsenal fan base. As reported by the Guardian, Wenger was asked in an interview with beIN Sport about Abou Diaby and the Frenchman’s fitness given the fact the 28-year-old has only featured in one match this season.

Wenger responded, “Diaby hasn’t a mental problem but a problem of injury. He is a player for whom I have great respect. If he comes back, I will keep him. I always believed in him. In football, the most important thing is health.”

The key point to take from that quote is that if Abou Diaby can prove his fitness this season, he will be handed a new deal by Arsenal.

It is this loyalty to one individual that characterizes Arsene Wenger, not just as a football manager, but also as a human being, as Amy Lawrence further delved into in her book Invincible: Inside Arsenal’s Unbeaten 2003-2004 Season when detailing how Wenger treated Edu who suffered a mass of personal problems upon completing his move to England in 2001. However, in more recent times, it also can quite neatly characterize the splits within the Arsenal fan base.

Many Arsenal supporters have been left frustrated by issues within the squad and how there is a rather repetitive occurrence of always being a couple of players short of a true title challenge only for the club to then lose another star. In fairness, the days of austerity at the Emirates, in terms of the transfer market, are at an end.

No longer is there the perennial fear that a financial powerhouse will come and target Arsenal’s best players when their contracts are approaching an end and thus leave Arsenal’s squad weaker every season. However, there is still the unresolved issue of the right players not being brought into the club.

Arsenal have never replaced Gilberto Silva, that is clear. The Brazilian was arguably the most important member of the 2003-04 Invincibles team, despite not offering any of the panache that made that team so wonderful to watch. Alas, that wasn’t his job. Gilberto was positioned to just sit in front of the back-four and cover the players around him.

It is no coincidence that during that period, Patrick Vieira had the freedom to venture up field far more often and support attacks due to the confidence he had in Gilberto just behind him.

Arsenal have lacked that player since Gilberto departed in 2008. Abou Diaby was long seen as the successor to Patrick Vieira given his physical attributes and playing style, however as injuries have taken their toll on Diaby, the Frenchman is now seen as Arsenal’s best option as a holding midfielder.

This is what has frustrated supporters. Diaby in full fairness has not been a reliable option since the 2009-10 season due to his many injury struggles. In the past three full seasons, Diaby has managed just 16 Premier League appearances, which to put it into context, is as many as he registered in the 2010-11 campaign on its own.

Arsene Wenger’s refusal to bring a holding midfield into the club because he already has Diaby has been a troubling decision for many, and one which has cost the club dearly across numerous seasons.

This aside, Arsene Wenger is absolutely correct to offer Diaby a new contract given the players unique and hugely impressive skill set.

The Frenchman’s sole appearance this season came against Southampton in the League Cup. Sat in the holding midfield role, Diaby excelled and looked every bit the player Arsenal have needed, despite having only played once in the previous year.

People forget Diaby is such a domineering midfielder when in possession. The European Cup quarter-final against Liverpool in 2008 at Anfield was arguably Diaby’s finest hour. Not only did he open the scoring but he dominated the midfield battle throughout. It was no coincidence that Arsenal completely lost their grip on the match after he was substituted in the 70th minute.

These performances have been few and far between for Diaby, not through talent but through fitness. It has been proven that when the former Auxerre man can string a run of games together he can be an outstanding footballer for Arsenal and this alone is surely enough to keep him at the club.

Arsene Wenger’s loyalty to Diaby has been admirable, and to the pro-Wenger side of Arsenal’s support an example of one of Le Professeur’s great attributes, however whilst offering him a new deal is in the best interest in the club, Arsene Wenger must stop seeing Diaby on his own as enough of an option.

Even with a regular starter in one position, clubs looking to challenge on multiple fronts need to have two players for most positions, especially a key area like the middle of midfield. Arsenal need to go and sign another defensive minded midfielder, not to replace Diaby per se, but to give the squad depth and an injection of further quality.

This additional option of a physical, defensive minded double-pivot including Diaby and another player could perhaps help Arsenal’s resolve in matches against teams like Chelsea and Manchester City where the lack of help for the defence has seen the team ship goals.

Perhaps the pressure on Diaby to impress upon every return doesn’t help his fitness, who knows? The introduction of another player in that position could see Diaby thrive by playing in less pressurised scenarios and would undoubtedly give Arsenal the best options they have had in defensive midfield for years.