Hendon Gooner (Only Easy Day Was Yesterday))
03-31-2015, 06:57 PM
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/1150 6947/Arsenal-news-Jack-Wilshere-Abou-Diaby-Mikel-Arteta-and- Mathieu-Debuchy-make-comebacks.html (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/11506947/Arsenal-news-Jack-Wilshere-Abou-Diaby-Mikel-Arteta-and-Mathieu-Debuchy-make-comebacks.html)
Abou Diaby has taken a first small step towards convincing Arsene Wenger that he is still worth a new contract after unexpectedly joining Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Debuchy on the comeback trail on Tuesday.
The four senior Arsenal first-team players all started for Steve Gatting’s Under-21 team at their London Colney training base in an eventual 4-0 win against Brentford.
Diaby has not played any first-team football since the Capital One Cup defeat against Southampton back in September while Wilshere was returning from the ankle surgery that has kept him out since the 2-1 loss against Manchester United last November.
Club captain Arteta has also not played since last year while Debuchy needed a shoulder operation after a robust challenge during the January defeat by Stoke City.
Diaby, Wilshere and Arteta all played only 45 minutes against Brentford today, suggesting that they are not in serious contention to face Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday. Debuchy, though, lasted an hour and could come straight into the squad to offer added defensive back-up.
While the returns of Wilshere, Arteta and Debuchy should directly boost the club’s hopes of retaining the FA Cup and even challenging Manchester City and Chelsea at the top of the Premier League, the situation surrounding Diaby is arguably even more intriguing.
The 28-year-old former France international has suffered numerous injuries over recent seasons but Wenger has never wavered in his support and still hopes that such a promising career can end well.
Diaby’s injuries have almost always stemmed from attempting to compensate for a lack of mobility in one ankle and he has played only 16 league games during the past four seasons. Wenger, though, has said that he will keep him if Diaby can return to full match fitness and knows that he faces a major decision this summer.
One solution might be some sort of pay-as-you-play arrangement although much will now depend on the next two months.
Wilshere scored after only seven minutes of Tuesday’s Under-21 match before providing an assist for Daniel Crowley. Alex Iwobi then scored twice to put Arsenal 4-0 ahead by half-time. Mathieu Flamini also played 66 minutes before being substituted.
Abou Diaby has taken a first small step towards convincing Arsene Wenger that he is still worth a new contract after unexpectedly joining Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Debuchy on the comeback trail on Tuesday.
The four senior Arsenal first-team players all started for Steve Gatting’s Under-21 team at their London Colney training base in an eventual 4-0 win against Brentford.
Diaby has not played any first-team football since the Capital One Cup defeat against Southampton back in September while Wilshere was returning from the ankle surgery that has kept him out since the 2-1 loss against Manchester United last November.
Club captain Arteta has also not played since last year while Debuchy needed a shoulder operation after a robust challenge during the January defeat by Stoke City.
Diaby, Wilshere and Arteta all played only 45 minutes against Brentford today, suggesting that they are not in serious contention to face Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday. Debuchy, though, lasted an hour and could come straight into the squad to offer added defensive back-up.
While the returns of Wilshere, Arteta and Debuchy should directly boost the club’s hopes of retaining the FA Cup and even challenging Manchester City and Chelsea at the top of the Premier League, the situation surrounding Diaby is arguably even more intriguing.
The 28-year-old former France international has suffered numerous injuries over recent seasons but Wenger has never wavered in his support and still hopes that such a promising career can end well.
Diaby’s injuries have almost always stemmed from attempting to compensate for a lack of mobility in one ankle and he has played only 16 league games during the past four seasons. Wenger, though, has said that he will keep him if Diaby can return to full match fitness and knows that he faces a major decision this summer.
One solution might be some sort of pay-as-you-play arrangement although much will now depend on the next two months.
Wilshere scored after only seven minutes of Tuesday’s Under-21 match before providing an assist for Daniel Crowley. Alex Iwobi then scored twice to put Arsenal 4-0 ahead by half-time. Mathieu Flamini also played 66 minutes before being substituted.