#Timmeh wrote:

Diame isn't a defensive player or a dedicated ball winner. He's like a more aggressive, slightly less skillful Diaby.

But between Diame and Arteta/Diaby we'd have one bitch (half a bitch + half a bitch). That's ok. Providing they contribute something in attack.

I just want someone who gets up and down, tackles well and can pass.

It's just that he's been in the Premier league for years now and this is the first time most of us have paid any attention to him.

well four years ago, when he was 25 and had been here for some time, nobody would have paid £24m for our dutch crock. Football is forever changing.

Although to be fair, when I say "convinced myself", I mean it in the literal sense. I don't rate Diame massively and in reality can take it or leave it.

Captain wrote:

well four years ago, when he was 25 and had been here for some time, nobody would have paid £24m for our dutch crock. Football is forever changing.

That's right, they waited till he achieved something first.

We don't have that luxury.

GM's right.

We should wait till Diame is out of our price range then go get him.

He would probably be out of our range now if it wasnt for the clause.

He really wouldn't.

He's having a decent season, but he's not an elite player by any means.

Bosscielny wrote:

GM's right.

We should wait till Diame is out of our price range then go get him.

Because those are the only two possible ways this could play out.

The only reason he's worth looking at is because he's cheap, already settled and has a skill set that we lack, in terms of ability he's average.

I'd rather let Coquelin, Diaby and Ramsey get more playing time at CM than buy Diame. I do think we need a powerful CM, but only one that is significantly better than our current options.

asajoseph wrote:

He really wouldn't.

He's having a decent season, but he's not an elite player by any means.

We're not going to be signing any "elite" players any time soon.

Seems wenger had some choice words on Diame today. Can't say whether or not it implies interest or was simply because we are playing against him tomorrow.

I really don't think we are signing him.

Reason being Wenger keep banging on top quality and saying its not easy to find, Diame has a 3.5m release clause, if we wanted him he would have already played a few games for us.

Think this one's the most likely. Wenger wants a centre mid.

Diame is a bit similar to Sulley Muntari in my opinion. Technically able ballwinner who will inject a lot of energy into the midfield. Muntari wasn't the most talented Inter player in that Champions League winning team but there's a reason Mourinho always played him when he was available.

Anyone who takes a serious look at Arsenal these days would have to agree that we're lacking those exact abilities, and that they've never been a big part of Diaby's game. Coquelin is a better fit in that case but he's injury prone and inexprienced. Still seems to be two years away from what we really need. If you take all this into account then it's easy to see how Diame could fill a real function for us.