My grouse with Diaby - updated

Abou Diaby, this guy has been in the news recently with his declaration that wants to win the Ballon d'Or as player and how he choose Arsenal over Chelsea. I don't know if he will improve in the later part of his career but going by what he has shown the fans over the couple of years, I think the European Footballer of the Year is an accolade that will probably pass him by.

When he came in to the side, I really thought he could be the new Vieira. However, since returning from the broken leg that kept him out for the better part of 2 seasons, he has certainly deteriorated. I know some of you who come to his defence, and go on about how he has improved last year. I have to admit that he did have a few games which he played alright but the others he was simply deplorable.

Every time I see his name on in the starting line-up, I sighed. It's not that he is the worse player that we but his style of play really annoys me.

He can’t really play in any position that Arsene has put him into. As a defensive midfielder, he doesn't have t strength to win 50-50 balls. When he does win them back, he inevitably gives it away. He is also slow in getting back to defence, a key are for this role. I can't remember clearly which defeat (Man U at home, I think) last season but the sight of him strolling back to the penalty area when the opposition striker was in full speed really just sickens me.

As a central midfielder, he just doesn't do anything useful at all. Of course, he has his dribbling skills and able to twist and turn to get away from his markers but what does he do next! He looks up, left, right, left, right and by then his marker would already be back in position. This really infuriates me. Don't know if anyone noticed but he is extremely slow in distributing the ball.

One of the reasons why we have not been able to utilize our fast breaks is because of Diaby who takes his bloody own sweet time to make a decision who to pass to...By then, as I said, the opposition has already gotten back in position. Please don't take my word for it and see for yourself. Look at how long he takes to make the forward pass.

I can go on and on about this guy but writing about him just makes me go mad thinking back to his play.