He did not, and you are wrong. There!

I also think critisism of Diaby was way OTT. Yes he faded but then so did Podolski and Cazorla while other never had a good first half in the first place. I guess he's just the go to scapegoat now.

Cazorla had a poor second half and was rightly subbed off, but you wouldn't know it by reading here.

Funny enough, while Diaby is heads and shoulders better than Ramsey defensively, he has also had 2 of our best chances of scoring so far. One really good chance in each game.

Gazza M wrote:

well yes. cazorla, lukas, and giroud still have the new car smell, whereas some people were at the end of their tether with diaby years ago.

I can understand that, but his performances should still be assesed with a balanced view.

someone needs to get a lighter and set his hair on fire

otfgoon wrote:

I also think critisism of Diaby was way OTT. Yes he faded but then so did Podolski and Cazorla while other never had a good first half in the first place. I guess he's just the go to scapegoat now.

This. Lets judge him after half a season. He had too many injuries.

Did he fade or was he just crap the whole game? :hmm:

I don't hate Diaby I just don't think it's a great idea to hand him a relatively significant squad role given he's been out for so long and is so (historically) inconsistent. I'd rather be cut-throat and give Aneke a go for example (well actually, I'd rather bring in a new midfielder but I'm trying to be tad more realistic). What has he done to warrant persisting with him?

Bumper Rex wrote:

Funny enough, while Diaby is heads and shoulders better than Ramsey defensively

He's not though. He's an absolute joke of a defensive player. People accuse Gibbs - sometimes rightly - of getting caught too high up the field but where is the midfielder who's supposed to cover for him? Arteta can't do it all on his own. Podolski ran his legs off against Stoke to cover the huge Diaby-sized hole on our left flank.

Podolski literally ran his legs off!? Fuck! How long till he gets them reattached?

Klaus wrote:

Bumper Rex wrote:

Funny enough, while Diaby is heads and shoulders better than Ramsey defensively

He's not though. He's an absolute joke of a defensive player. People accuse Gibbs - sometimes rightly - of getting caught too high up the field but where is the midfielder who's supposed to cover for him? Arteta can't do it all on his own. Podolski ran his legs off against Stoke to cover the huge Diaby-sized hole on our left flank.

I normally have a lot of time for your opinions Klaus, but when it comes to Diaby now and Rosicky last season your judgement just seems way off. No disrespect. Tosser...

I actually agree with Klaus.

I cringe every time I see Diaby try to tackle or dispossess an opponent. His tackling can be incredibly miss timed, while he gives away a lot of fouls trying to get the ball off a player who has his back to him.

He has tried to become more disciplined overall, but it doesn't mean he's there yet. Ramsey is far more accomplished in that regard. Works harder too.

You know, it's funny how we have all those terrific midfielders but A) collapse like a house of cards every time Arteta is out, and B) still can't stop a two-bit team like Stoke from getting from their own penalty area to ours in less than four passes. These guys don't really seem to create, score or assist either. It would be great if someone could point out what it is they actually bring to the team, without resorting to nonsense like "facilitating play" or "being tall".

incredibly harsh to criticise diaby at this point. hasnt played in forever.