"We do not want to focus on Messi", says Diaby
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Abou Diaby admits he “felt privileged” to be on the same pitch as Lionel Messi last season after the Argentine’s magnificent performance for Barcelona against Arsenal. However, the Frenchman refuses to solely focus on Messi due to the abundance of talent Barca have around him.
The 23-year-old FIFAWorld Player of the Year scored four goals in the Champions League second leg fixture between the two clubs last year, with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger comparing him to a ‘Playstation player’ after the 4-1 defeat.
“Despite losing the first leg, we know that Barca is a team of great effectiveness, both individually and as a team,” Diaby told Sport.es
“I remember it was a great game [last season’s match at the Nou Camp] and I felt privileged to participate in it. We know Messi is a great player who can change a game at any moment, but we do not want to focus only on him. We can’t just deal with Messi because of the great players around him.”
Diaby, who is rumoured to start tomorrow’s game due to Alex Song’s injury, also gave his opinion on Cesc Fabregas’ future at the Emirates Stadium, admitting that he is the “engine” of the Arsenal side. Fabregas is understandably the centre of the attention given the fact that the Barca academy graduate told Wenger he wanted to join his former team in the summer, only to see two offers rejected by the Gunners.
“I know there is interest from Barca, but we’d love him to stay with us because he is the captain and the engine of the team.”
Injury News:
Frontman Robin van Persie faces a fitness test tomorrow morning where he will find out whether he can play in tomorrow’s game. The Dutchman surprisingly travelled with the squad to Spain earlier despite being ruled out for “3 to 4 weeks” by Arsene Wenger.
Alex Song misses out through injury while fellow midfielders Cesc Fabregas and Jack Wilshere have been passed fit.
Evra once said it was “men against boys” after a game against arsenal, but that frace got another dimension after the Anfield thrashing yesterday, when Nani was crying after a tackle, “men against Litlle girls” seems more fitting to describe Utd. Question is can Nani ever show himself on a pitch in england after that embarrasing display?
OOhhhh Diaby you felt “privileged” did you you Diabolical excuse of a footballer. Is that why you did f all after the first 15 minutes that game?
Hope this liability does not start. I’d rather start Rosicky than him.
Wenger a liar?!
I personally agree with Joe, i rather choose Rosisky ahead of Diaby,bcoz i have this feelings tht Diaby will screw us at camp nou with his silly blunders.
Ooh we better play Rosisky than playing Diaby, i know Diaby will cost us with his silly & constant blunder. When play a team like barca one mistake can cost you dearly. Wenger pliz its time to let Diaby go.
i dont know guys, imo diaby will play well as a dm today, but it just occured to me … would anyone mind seeing ramsey start in a dm role tomorrow?
tonight*
I ditto that he’s good if he wants to.
If Diaby is playing, we might as well start Denilson, Almunia, and Eboue as well.
eboue playd well in the first leg
I think Aaron should play tomorrow. He is by far better than the two midfielders and more technically gifted.
lets face the music and dance…
c’mon boys…
fabregas aaaaaaaargh wtf!
where the fuck do you get 3 mins injuiry time when there are no fouls ffs
@GunnerMKD: Are you watching the match gunner? the goalkeeper got injured thats why
but it did not last for fucking 3 minutes