Arsenal’s Abou Diaby out injured – Who should replace him?
The Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby has been injured for nearly the whole of his Arsenal career, but since his return at the beginning of the season he has been a revelation for the team and we were all looking forward to another Man-Of-The-Match performance against Chelsea yesterday.
But the Frenchman only lasted 17 minutes of the match before being taken off and replaced by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Wenger’s early prognosis is that he has a “muscular strain” and will be out for a “minimum three weeks”. Knowing Wenger’s awful record of predicting the return of players from injury perhaps we can expect a much longer period on the treatment table?
This news is ironic in that I have only just posted an article about how good our injury list is looking right now, but at least we shall have Frimpong (and hopefully Wilshere shortly) to fill in any gaps in the squad.
Until they both reach full fitness though, Wenger can certainly utilise The Ox in the middle of the park for a while, considering that he believes that that will be his best position in the future. There is also Aaron Ramsey who could profit from being brought back in from his unsuitable wing position, and Francis Coquelin could certainly be given some experience in that role against “lesser” teams for now.
Or perhaps a certain little Russian could be given another chance down the middle……
Is he made of glass or something? ffs
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
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arshavin deserves a chance… he has earned it…
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May be eisfield…i strongly believe it shud be arshravin becoz he dserves 1 chance to play at hs preferd position!!!!!
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Diabys replacement is coquelin i think. Hes a very good and clever player, so is abou
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Francis Coquelin
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
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let us put our hands on Diaby’s shoulder to give him support.
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
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I believe Mr wenger is just a genius. Diaby poor guy, i really feel sorry for him, i hope he gets well soon we need his services. Replacement is either Le Coq or Frimpong. Both will do a fine enough job until Wilsher’s return.
The reason i say mr wenger is a genius is due to the spark of Ramsey playing out wide on the wing shows how ruthless he is … What a STUNNING performance by ramsey in the past 2 games playing on the wing… truly his qualities lay there. Infact in our defeat against chelsea i admit ramsey made a couple of mistimed passes but he looked so active and won the ball back several times. I believe the diaby injury through the game plan a little. Although it was arsenal’s fault for throwing the game against chelsea i’d like to point out the referee also was an absolute idiot with his decisions
Opinions divided. What do you think?
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Off topic but is it the in thing or something to hate Gervinho I just don’t get are fans sometimes they always have something bad to say bout him errm hello he was the one that scored yesterday and is are top scorer right now I think and his still getting stick what about the rest of the team, why is he the scapegoat for when things go bad, when he is quite noticeably one of are more improved players from last year’s buys yeah last year we wanted him to work on his shooting and he has ok he had a off game with city but are legends also had off games,,,,there is others in the team who should be scoring and have not step up yet,, let’s stop bitching at the one who is getting goals for us rant over
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Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Out of tune?. Like or Dislike:
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Abou Diaby’s out injured? What’s new! Who should replace him? Jack Wilshere of course
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
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It has to be Ramsey, for me thats his role in the team not on the wing like the previous article. Jack wont be back to strength yet and will probably come on as a sub first other players would be Ox (Walcott wing) or Eisfield. Arshavin should be Cazorla back up not Diaby.
Opinions divided. What do you think?
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Ramsey is in great form n OX on wing, Arteta has to do some more work defensively bt over all no problem…. Ramsey n Ox can swap places n combinely do a defensive work as well…..
Opinions divided. What do you think?
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I want to add that the fans on this site are really starting to make me think if its worth reading comments anymore, before the game its all 3-0 4-0, then we loose and its get rid of the team and start again. It makes me sick.
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Sorry guys, Ramsey is inconsistent to me. I thought Diaby position is DM same as Arteta. Ox or Coquelin or even Andre Santos is capable.
But I really wondered why Arsenal defence seems chaotic, passing balls wrongly, and when Chelsea was pressing every position, our players seem to lose confidence.
Losing 1 game is not the end of the world, but it reveals our inconsistency. The team needs to mature faster.
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aboo daby get back soon! Shame because he makes the top top progresses. But now others have the chances, like oxtail chumbermaid. When Rosicy back?!
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Put our hands on Diaby’s shoulder??? That would break his collar bone!
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Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
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Coquelin!!! this guy needs games…if he can obtain at least 30 games he would be better or as good as mvilla….
Frimpong is another player with a character…that Arsenal is lacking in recent years….a player that would give any opposition a hard one…
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Am going with a controversial one. Carzola. He read that game well runs into spaces and is technically gifted to turn no chances into full chances. If he get someone in front of him (Podolski/Arshavin we may get more goals coming in
Opinions divided. What do you think?
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Undoubtedly wilshere
ox should be played till wilshere is ready
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i think it depends on the team we play against…
but i think that arshvin and cazorla will have a GREAT partneship!! can’t wait to see them play together!!!
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Fancis Coquelin..no doubt.
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Being pragmatic I would say diaby is one of the best central midfielders in the premier league(the bursting runs and his strength provides stability in centre midfield to our team) and we hope he recovers speedily.But for the time he is recovering we should give a chance to Arshavin in that position.He proved that he can really play at that position that day against coventry.
I think we played great against chelsea and it was unlucky we couldnt score more.But I believe we will learn from this game and be better at finishing as the season progresses.
#GUNNER FOR LIFE
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plz guys tell me, why Ramsey is an arsenal player ?
Opinions divided. What do you think?
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What is wrong with Diaby.
Takes a shot. Injured.
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arshavin is not a midfielder,he doesnt do enough tackling his position is i the hole(back up for cazorla and rosicky),we have a large selection tho,coq,Ox,frimpong,ramsey and wiltshere when he is fully back.i think he should use a combination but mainly the Ox and coquelin until wiltshere is fit.
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@gunner39 because wenger stole him from Manchester united … That’s why
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Typical Diaby news. Oh well, I look forward to seeing him play his two matches next season.
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Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Out of tune?. Like or Dislike:
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Sorry about the spelling, I was so incensed, I forgot to check my spelling before posting
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@arsenalagain i thumbs downed you but your comment still made me laugh lool
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ARSHAVIN!!!!!! Here is your chance
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I would like to make a bet!!
100dollars says diaby won’t be able to play 20 premiership games this season.any1 care to take me on!!!
What the hell goes through wenger’s head sometimes..it just fabbles me..the whole bloody world could see this coming..the guy wasn’t even tackled..he got injuried while taking a shot!!!!SMH….
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For Olympiakos, i’d pick
Mannone,—Jenkinson, Vermaelen, Koscielney, Gibbs,—Ramsey, Arteta, Cazorla,—Podolski, Walcott, Gervinho. The bench would be Martinez, Mertesacker, Miguel, OxladeChamberlain, Giroud, Djourou and Arshavin.
Don’t just thumbs down, say who you’d pick against Olympiakos
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Well, there we go again with Diaby! Following the departure of Song, Wenger argued that Diaby had recovered sufficiently and there was no need to buy another midfielder. Someone said during the transfer window that only a mad person would count on Diaby, but Wenger is one, so it was no surprise that he was refusing to buy a replacement for Song. You’ll agree that as soon as Diaby got injured, Chelsea took the lead and the midfield battle became much more difficult for Arsenal. We experienced a similar situation two seasons ago, when Diaby got sent off while we were leading Newcastle by 4-0 in a space of 30 minutes! The hole left in our midfield allowed Newcastle to level at 4-4, and were even threatening to add to our misery. When will Wenger learn a lesson?
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Arsenal should rest a few players for Olympiakos and give chance to some others like Arshavin, Santos, Djourou, Coq, Giround and Walcott. According to me the team should be:
Mannone
Jenk, Kosc, Djourou, Santos
Coq, Arteta
Walcott, Arshavin, AOC
Giround
Subs: Mert, Verm, Gibbs, Cazorla, Poldi, Gervinho, Ramsey, Martinez
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To me Ramsey is garbage. I can’t stand him. I’d much rather play Arshavin, Chamberlain, Coquelin, Frimpong, Wilshere, or just about anyone else than having to play that overrated clown any more.
Opinions divided. What do you think?
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Usually Jack Wilshere would be his replacement, however I think that Coquelin or Arshavin deserve a spot.
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Diaby is playing a CMF position this season. There was no real help for Arteta in midfield yesterday after Diaby went off and especially after Ramsey went off. Chamberlin is too attackign minded. Should have got Coquelin on. Also this new formation doesn’t have any real wingers its three AMF we play with behind a main striker (who is meant to be Gervinho but alway seems to want to drift wide) Other than Gervinho no other attacking player comes in from the side anymore, almost 100% of crosses are provided by the full backs in open play, which further shows this.
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Replace Diaby with Le Coq or Ramsey … Permenantly. I am sick of getting glimpses of Diaby playing well, then losing him for extended periods of time. Surely the economist in Wenger would see that it makes no sense to have a player how is brilliant 20% of the time (due to injury). I say get ride of Diaby (not because he’s bad, just so bloody injury prone). Wouldn’t it be better to develop consistency with a player that can hold the midfield position week in, week out?
Also, whoever said Ramsey did well … You are dillusional! He played appallingly! I am sure if I we to go through the game, play by play, Ramsey would be involved in 80% of all incidents where we either lost possession, or what a foul was committed when we didn’t have the ball. I really want to be a Ramsey fan, but some weeks he’s on game, and others (to many for me), he is anegitave for our team on the pitch. Comparison: when the Ox has a bad game, he doesn’t play particularly well, but also doesn’t lose possession for us. Can’t say the same about Ramsey. Should have put Le Coq in for Diaby.
And, Yes, Gervihno scored for us. But he NEVER has his head up when he has the ball. He looks right at his feet. And in doing so, misses many times when there is an open player in position to pass to – case in point Giroud in the Citeh match, where Gervihno was either selfish in taking a shot, or just completely ignorant of Giroud TOTALLY open to his right in front of goal for a shot.
Also, Walcott wants to be a striker? He came on with Giroud, and when he is needed most to produce, was nowhere. Not positioning, and a hail Mary shot on goal.
It’s all good to win 6-1 to Coventry, but our quality is shown when we come up against the current top team in the EPL, and we came away with not even a draw. This game was ours at half time.
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Just a fool like Wenger would gamble on Diaby staying fit for a season. Diaby is made of glass and he is the biggest freeloading leech at the club. If he can’t contribute consistently he should fu*k off.
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In the next couple of games midfield should be, DMF-Coquelin,
CMF-Arteta,
AMF1-Podolski,
AMF2-Arshavin,
AMF3-Cazorla.
Maybe the reverse positions for Arteta and Coquelin will be better as well. We need Mertesackers physical strength and height for the Westham game so he needs to be rested again on midweek to prevent injuries. Up front we can play with Gervinho or Giroud in both games because there is plenty of creativity behind them in the 5 man midfield. Get Ramsey and Chamberlin on 60+ minutes to give a energy boost in the midfield.
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the problem with Ramsey is that we dont seem to win many big games when he plays. It would be interesting to see some percentages on his win rate??
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
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Coquelin!
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I should replace Diaby.
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Ramsey n Ox should start , thy can swap position n do a great defensive work, both r in gud form…. m dissapointed from Wenger Selection… Up front, Giroud is pure striker n he is nt given chance… RVP missed lot of opportunities, Giroud get just 1 chance n he missed n every 1 start to criticize thts nt fare!
Giroud should start, He should be target man in box….
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@artilary
Ramsey is NOT in good form. He played aweful yesterday
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le Coq or Little Russian. No ramsey or ox.they disturb the balance.
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Is it only me or do others think Ramsey often has a curious case of dribbling into a defensive cul de sac? He loses the ball in dangerous errors in our own half – I’ve seen 3 instances where the opposition has taken advantage and almost scored from Ramsey’s concessions.
Admittedly I’m not a Ramsey fan, but he has played a few good minutes on the pitch this year. Some of his touches and passes have been a joy to watch, but he often has a mixed game. He can do something great, then something silly in a minute. Ramsey doesn’t have the pace. He has a weird running style as if every stride is a desperate lunge to get forward – like he’s chasing 1st place in the last 10 metres of a gruelling marathon. Tell me, is it only me that picks up such details? Surely not.
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typo – areas not errors. LOL
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jay, maybe you should watch the chelsea game again to see how gervihno performed, other than the 1 goal he scored, he was the most ineffective player on the pitch! he never go out for the ball but standing there waiting for the ball to come to him, only to lose it immediately by getting disposessed , falling over or dribbling all the way out. yes he ‘s the top scorer now cos he has been given the most chances to score so far playing as a cf, but he scored only 4times out of like 20 chances or more. he should to back to his position as a winger but still he needs to change his selfish way and pass the ball to his teamates.
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i love to see arsenal playing fast & smooth passing in their attack, but it always comes to a halt when gervihno gets the ball!
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Diaby injury is a blessing in disguise . If he hadn’t started yesterrday we would have probably worn the game. Coquelin is a much better midfielder and a team player .
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He will come back in three weeks and be like a new signing.
We dont need to buy players with our injury rota system. One out….two in.
Pffff…I blame Wenger and the board.
Madness not to replace players who leave the club.
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We will start Ramsey.
Arshavin will only start if Cazorla moves back – wont happen.
The OX wont start there as he’s needed to replace stuborn i only want to play striker Theo.
I would go with Coq but doubt we will.
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Wat a surprise Diaby injured yet again the next viera don’t make me laff. He should be replaced by frimpong as he is the most physical and that is wat arsenal lacked in the middle, coquelin has potential but is way too weak to play d.m at the moment. I have always wondered how Djourou who is a poor c.b would be like in d.m role he has the strength,pace, tackling qualities and most of all he wouldn’t have to use his brain for positional play like u do at c.b,
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Mala you make it sound like every striker scores every chance they get, I’m saying let’s stop been hard on are own players and specially the one who is the top scorer for us at the moment others need to step up and start scoring too Gervinho getting stick from his own fans is just wrong yeah his missed more than his scored but the fact is his scoring now and getting in to position to be scoring more…
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Guys,
One bad game and u started bashing LK, OG, OX, walcott, Ramsey n all …transfer talks begun which is ridiculous at this time it was just a bad luck from defense point of you … few chances at front bt unfortunately didn’t get materialized … Have trust in the team and this time they do wonders … give them support even during losses, i know its hard but provide them backing… even MU also lost but no such reaction there…
Fellow dear gooners if i am right/wrong there … pls let me know by like/dislike… COYG
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@clark
mannone
jenk,mertesacker,vermalean,gibbs
arteta,coquelin
AOC,cazorla,podolski
giroud
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Some of u guys are idiots. Hw the fk can arshavin play in diabys position?! Arshavin is amazing but plays as a number 10 playmaker….not a box to box powerhouse, more small bursts. In this current squad only frimpong, coquelin or wilshere could play in his position, possibly rosicky as he can tackle as well. I’d like frimpong there until wilshere returns, as frimpong is capable of going on powerful runs with and without the ball due to his physicality.
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Coquelin would be great but hes already had some major injury problems this early in his career. What happens if he gets injured too? I think we need to buy in january
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Kind of wish we had Clint Dempsey right now.
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Le Coq to me is our Next Flamini…WHU,Norwich and QPR…we can win these 3 easily but more importantly these 3 games will be Important for Arshavin n Le coq…They will be given chances and for me Lecoq will shine in Holding mid while Arteta will be pushed up in Box to Box role till both wilshere and Diaby are fit…Once all r fit,We will hav the best midfield with great bench too… 1st priority FA cup and Capital one cup
)
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jay, what i’m trying to say is gervihno’s overall play is not up to the marks even if he scores a few times, he doesn’t know the role of a striker which is more than standing around waiting for the ball to come to you, and his worst trait is holding the ball to himself when his teamate is in a better position to score. i’d love to see him progress & evolve at arsenal but to fight for titles we can’t afford to have such a player as our main cf.
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anyway a player has to know his own shortcomings & correct them in order to progress, like what happened to Per who has progressed into our main cd now, i’m truly happy for him & arsenal. but we need a ready-product now as a cf, we won’t b able to fight for titles with just one evolving cf.
but since the next window is in Jan, we guess we have to live with it for the time being unless giroud suddenly gets the hang of it. hopefully someone can quickly correct gervihno’s shortfalls & i’ll be happy for him & arsenal as well.
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How can anyone be dumb enough to say Arshavin? Do you guys actually watch football?
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just about to say the same thing.. We need jack back running tht midfield. ox is to inexperienced. With the way things are going i would say play ox up top..
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erm… coquelin!
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