Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby is a top player when he is fit. There lies the problem “when he is fit.”

Diaby, a player who is held in high regard by Arsenal fans, and everyone in world football, for his ability to dribble past opponents with ease with close ball control, who also contains an excellent first touch and is adept in both attack and defence. When fully fit, there is no doubt that Diaby is one of the best box to box midfielder’s in the Premier League, and this is why he is one of the first names on the team sheet for Arsenal and France. It is clear to see that when Diaby plays for Arsenal, he fills the physical void that was left when Song left Arsenal for Barcelona last summer, and he is the missing link in our midfield. It has been said that the reason Wenger let Song go to Barcelona was because he said he had a replacement in Diaby, but once again, injuries had gotten the better of Diaby this season.

Since joining the Gunners in 2006, Diaby has been side-lined 37 times. During that time, torn MCL’s, broken legs, ankles and hamstring injuries have seen the Frenchmen struggle to get in a consistent run of matches.

This summer is crucial for Arsenal, the indications are such that some marquee names could arrive at the club. So one must question themselves, is this the end of Abou Diaby?

Diaby signed with the Gunners from French club Auxerre for £2m when he was 19, choosing to shape his career in North London, instead of signing with rivals Chelsea.

With so much promise and expectation, why Diaby hasn’t developed into a world-class player during his eight years at Arsenal? Diaby has featured in 42% of Arsenal’s Premier League games over the past eight seasons, and has featured 182 times since joining the club at the start of 2006.

Diaby’s career has been unable to make significant progress as a player over the past years, and it has affected both Arsenal and France. The Arsenal midfielder has played in 40 games over the last three seasons, most notably in 2011/2012 when Diaby made five appearances off the bench. Last season when he had played more than 30 minutes, the Gunners had won 12 games from a possible 14, losing to only Chelsea and Manchester City. Meanwhile, France had lost only once post-World Cup, when Diaby has played for a minimal 45 minutes. Diaby being fragile and injury prone is clear, but his influence on both sides has been missed.

Diaby’s statistics show that the Frenchman’s absence from the side is massive. Diaby is one of the best passers with an 88.05 passing percentage, and is also one of the club’s top players in terms of interceptions and completed dribbles. It was reported at the end of March 2013, that the Frenchman would be shelved for approximately nine months after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Diaby has ended another season sidelined, and it leaves many fans curious as to what the future holds for the Arsenal midfielder.

The Arsenal board could sell him, but what side would be interested in taking a gamble and signing him? With Diaby heading into what should be the peak of his career; is he capable of staying fit and displaying why he could be one of the top midfielders in world football? What is certain is that failure to stay fit over the next few seasons will see Diaby become the man that should have, could have and would have, but didn’t.

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Would you pay to release Diaby? Or gamble on him again? Comment below | Photo via Ronnie Macdonald