There has been a lot said about our new signings. Some good, some bad, but mostly good. Podolski and Cazorla (two men who I’ve been developing a Mrs-concerning man crush over recently) are fitting in like hand in glove. Giroud, whom had a fantastic season over in Ligue 1 last season, has stuttered so far.
Previously however, when Arsene says that a previously injured player is like a new signing, in the past I have had a tendency to throw my hands up and say a massive *meh*. However, bar one minor (and non ankle) injury whilst on international duty, Abou Diaby actually does look much like a new signing. His performance against Liverpool was first class, a superb touch combined with some sexy link up play with Caz and Arteta and dribbling that appeared like the ball was glued to his foot. From my perspective, it was really encouraging to see and drew in my view relatively lazy comparisons with that of PV4 and Yaya Toure. But hey, I’ll take that.
I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who grimaced like the international gurning champion who’d just received a particularly large utility bill when I heard that he’d been injured on international duty. But lo and behold, there he was back in the side to face Montpellier. We ground out the victory after a good performance and in particular 2nd half performance from the French club, a less than remarkable performance, a good completed pass percentage and the Guiness world record for the fastest yellow card (I assume) for Abou, but nonetheless 3 points away from home in the premier European club football competition (isn’t that right Sp*rs fans?).
Let’s not shit ourselves in excitement just yet, as the ever hilarious Guy Roux said about Abou – “…He is mounted on two matchsticks with a spot of glue in the middle.” and whilst there is no denying his quality as a footballer, but only 25 appearances over the last two seasons and more damning 5 last season – for which he collected £2.6m, £520k per game (alright work if you can get it I suppose!) – is cause for concern. I have been guilty in the past of asking around his contract expiry date and when we can get shut of him. However, there’s definitely something about Diaby and bar matchstick/glue related problems, long may he flourish.
Stu – Gooner in The North
Written post Montpellier win
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