Abou Diaby is gone from Arsenal, but if Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is speaking on behalf of the rest of the squad, he’s not going to be forgotten any time soon.
Oxlade-Chamberlain described the French midfielder – recently released at the end of his contract after almost a decade at the club – as “one of the best midfielders I’ve seen,” adding that “for a man of his stature” – 6’3″ or 1.91m – “some of the things he did with the ball, it was amazing to see at times.”
A succession of injuries ruined Diaby’s career, ultimately leading to his release – but Oxlade-Chamberlain, speaking to Arsenal Player, argued “a lot of players would have given up a long time before he has,” adding “he still hasn’t and he’s still working hard to get fit… it just shows you what a professional he is and how much of a tough mentality he has.”
The England winger also noted that Diaby was “a big character in our dressing room. Everyone respected him and his footballing ability that much that he was always part of the team at all times.”
Of course, injury ensured he wasn’t often part of the team that took the field. Diaby played 125 league games for Arsenal – well under a third of the number the club played during his tenure – and only played once in the last two seasons. But if Oxlade-Chamberlain’s thoughts are any guide, this is not the end for Diaby: “I had a chat with him yesterday and the reasons why he wanted to leave and get himself right made complete sense to me. You’ve got to wish him all the luck with that and I hope that he can get back to his best and push on with what he deserves.”
After such an injury-hit career, it’s safe to say that’s a sentiment that will be widely shared.
