Quantcast

“He Is Fit And Ready To Play” – Wenger Confirms Shock Comeback

By on April 22, 2014

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Abou Diaby is ready to make a return to the pitch and could play for the first team this season.

Diaby hasn’t featured for the club since starting against Swansea City back in mid-March 2013 after picking up a serious knee injury in training, and some thought that not only would he never play for Arsenal again, but it could spell the end of his injury-plagued career.

However, the 27-year-old has been working hard on his recovery including spending time in the French Alps and he returned to full training two weeks ago where he’s continued to work on his fitness.

It now looks like he could be in-line to make a shock return to the first team before the end of the season with Arsene telling the clubs website this afternoon that Diaby is ‘fit and ready’ and could play for the Under-21’s against Chelsea tonight.

If all goes to plan at the Emirates later, then the Frenchman could be considered for the first team before the end of the season. Speaking to Arsenal.com, Wenger said:

“He [Diaby] is back in full training now and available to play,”

“He might play a part of the game for the under-21s.

“Yes of course [he could play for the first team this season], it depends how well he comes out of the game. He hasn’t played for a year but physically he is ready to play, completely. It is now just decision-making, getting used to challenges again. He needs a game.

“Everybody [counted him out] but he is fit and ready.”

It would certainly be a miraculous recovery from the midfielder as his career looked dead and buried not that long ago, and to have come back time and again from serious injury is testament to his character.

However, it would still be a big risk from Arsene to play him in the first team. Diaby is no doubt going to be well short of match fitness and a run out for the under-21’s isn’t going to solve that. We have four huge games to come this season so we don’t have room to take risks on bringing Diaby back in too soon.

Hopefully the player will get a bit of luck and stay injury-free, but I’d still be surprised, and nervous, if we saw him in the first team again this season.

6 Comments

  1. Manoza

    April 22, 2014 at 4:40 pm

    He is a big game player, his psychology in the pitch is unquestionably above all the players we have. There is only one player who was overconfidence (Frimpong). WELCOME BACK Diaby, we missed you.

  2. Robinson uhuru

    April 22, 2014 at 6:06 pm

    Welcome back we need to see your impact thanks alot for your return

  3. gersha.qiuha

    April 22, 2014 at 6:10 pm

    sure am when I have seen him in the pich again

  4. demongooner

    April 22, 2014 at 6:18 pm

    Jesus wheat rubbish you lot speak ….diarby is no big game player he has not been missed…he has not played more then 15 games a season yet for arsenal …Wenger should of got rid off him years ago …he is injury probed if he was a race horse he been shot by now get rid of him

  5. sandwell23

    April 22, 2014 at 6:46 pm

    Thats harsh buddy, when he has played hes been awsome you never know he might stay fit, id prefer him to play then arteta! Welcome back diaby

  6. Norman House

    April 23, 2014 at 4:06 pm

    #demongooner: wheat (sic) rubbish indeed! Diaby has played 15 or more games in a season, in 7 of his 9 seasons at Arsenal. He played 36 times in 08-09 and and 40 times in 09-10, including 29 league games. He even played 15 times last season. There is no doubt that he has been injury plagued over the last 3-4 seasons, but at least try and get your facts straight, before telling people they speak rubbish!

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *