FOCUS ON DIABY

Abou Diaby born Vassiriki Abou Diaby is a French footballer who plays for his national team as well as the Arsenal, the English football club. He is known for his adaptation of attack and defense and described as a footballer with athletic, elusive and languid abilities that allow him to dribble around opponents or slip a pass quickly to a team mate during play. His position of play and his physical build prompt comparison with Patrick Vieira, the Arsenal legend.

Born on 11th May, 1986 in Paris Diaby is a towering midfielder standing at 6.3”who made his youth debut with Aubervilliers club in 1996. His senior debut was made with Auxerre in 2004 and the Arsenal contract was offered to him in 2006. Made the French under 19 in 2004, under 21 in 2006 and the French national team in 2007.

He was the member of the under-19 team that took the 2005 UEFA European under-19 Football Championship. Senior International debut started with UEFA Euro 2008 qualifier against Lithuania and his representation for France was the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He played all the 3 group matches with the starting lineup.

He was awarded a £2 million contract by Arsenal in January 2006 and prior to that he had already refused an offer from Chelsea the London rival of the Gunners. When he made his first appearance for the team he was awarded the shirt number 2 which was incidentally lying vacant after the retirement of Lee Dixon. His career statistics include a total of 190 appearances with 20 goals and 16 assists. For his national team he has played 16 times scoring once. His contract with the Arsenal team started in 2006 and will run till 30th June 2015. His 2009-10 seasons with Arsenal was his highest output in terms of number of games played and he played a phenomenal 40 matches out of 55.