Prominent French journalist Pierre Menes has expressed his belief that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger knew exactly what he was doing when he offloaded Abou Diaby this summer.
The French international midfielder was picked up by Olympique de Marseille during the offseason, with the fallen giants of French football hoping that they would be able to rehabilitate the player and help him return somewhere close to his magnificent best.
However, Diaby’s move to OM has so far failed to yield any results, with the 29-year-old not making a single appearance in the colours of his new club.
Menes, who works for Canal+, has expressed his conviction that Diaby will never come good, and that Wenger knew this when he agreed to the midfielder’s departure.
“Diaby’s return? Keep waiting…” Menes began, as per Le 10 Sport. “I love Diaby, but the guy’s at Marseille for three months, not injured, and he still hasn’t even played in a friendly.
“Muscularly, Diaby can’t do it. If not, Wenger would have never let him go.”
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Diaby moved to Arsenal from Auxerre in 2006, but despite making a good first impression on Gunners fans, he didn’t win a single honour for the club during a fallow period in the North London giants’ history.
He made only one appearance in his last two seasons combined at the club, as injury affected his progress, and Menes clearly believes that we’re unlikely to see anything more of the talented operator.
Arsenal aren’t doing too badly without their crocked former star, and, after 10 matches, sit second in the Premier League, equal on points with leaders Manchester City.