Arsenal Sign Lassana Diarra

stearmaster · Post by **stearmaster** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 11:19 pm

Club Statement :

Arsenal Football Club is pleased to confirm that Lassana Diarra has signed for the Club from Premier League side Chelsea, on a long term contract for an undisclosed fee.

Diarra (22) who is comfortable playing in midfield or defence, has spent the last two seasons with Chelsea, where he collected a Carling Cup winnerâ€™s medal in February this year after playing in the final against the Gunners.

Awarded individual accolades of Young Player of the Year by both former clubs, Le Havre (2004) and Chelsea (2006), Diarra has gone on to play for France in their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

Lassana Diarra said: â€œI have great respect for the manager ArsÃ¨ne Wenger and am attracted by the style of football that the team plays. Of course I am excited by what the future holds and keen to play my part in helping Arsenal fight for trophies this season and for years to come.â€

Post by **Belfast Boy** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 11:35 pm

Good spot Stearmaster, did this happen last thing??? he'll be good for us

Chunky The Gooner · Post by **Chunky The Gooner** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 11:43 pm

somebody put the same thread on "for sale and wanted" by mistake

stearmaster · Post by **stearmaster** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 11:48 pm

well i was on the AFC site bout 10 mins after it shut nuffin, then i asked sarah *dicko* ne last minute deals* as i was asleep and woke up 2355, she sed wernt sure *sommin like that* then after she logged off i checked 1ce agen and there it was, but i did hear sommin earlier on.....

a laff and a joke

http://youtube.com/watch?v=2tjgqZHAPno

and a bit of skill from the man

http://youtube.com/watch?v=LNV7cYd8B2g

Eboue Can't Defend · Post by **Eboue Can't Defend** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 11:58 pm

I have to say I'm shocked by the news - because I didn't think Chelsea would sell him to us - but very, very happy!! Saw the kid play about three years ago (when we were first linked with him) and thought he was very impressive.

Although some people will ask why we have signed yet another central midfielder, I'm telling you, this guy will prove to be a great signing. Still young, at 22 years of age, Diarra has already broken into the French national side and is seen as the natural replacement for Claude Makalalli (wrong spelling, I know). However, he will end up being better than the Chav midfielder because he has more strings to his bow. Maybe he is the long term replacement for Gilberto?

Many people on here (including me) have complained that Flamini - hard working as he is - isn't quite good enough for Arsenal, but I can tell you this guy definately is. Diarra is a more complete midfield player than either Gilberto or Flamini, in that he can play the defensive wall role and is versatile - like Gilberto and Flamini - but also has excellent passing ability - unlike Gilberto and Flamini.

Mark my words, in years to come we will look back and be saying that Wenger pulled off a master-stroke getting Diarra. I fully expect him to have a long and successful career with Arsenal.

daz10_uk · Post by **daz10_uk** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 12:04 am

Chunky The Gooner wrote:somebody put the same thread on "for sale and wanted" by mistake

Yes i did chunky

stearmaster · Post by **stearmaster** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 12:06 am

daz10_uk wrote:
Chunky The Gooner wrote:somebody put the same thread on "for sale and wanted" by mistake
Yes i did chunky

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT, GOT A BO**OCKING, I POSTED THE SAME THING ON ALL 4 CATERGARRYS, BUT THAT WAS MY FIRST POST

NOW LOOK AT ME, FROM THE STEARMASTER TO THE POLL-MASTER, NOT DONE 1 IN A WHILE THO.....NEED TO THINK 1 UP......SORRY REBEL

Post by **Belfast Boy** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 12:20 am

Eboue Can't Defend wrote:I have to say I'm shocked by the news - because I didn't think Chelsea would sell him to us

Same here ECD

especially after Moaninho was ragin over the Gallas transfer, cos he saw it as solving one of Wenger's major problems for him i.e. lack of an experienced CB!
But the pessimists among us will probably say that we've resorted to taking Chav$ki's cast offs or that the deal proves that our west London neighbours don't see us as a serious threat!

Eboue Can't Defend · Post by **Eboue Can't Defend** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 1:11 am

Belfast Boy,

You're right about Gallas and it's a similar situation here. Chelsea didn't really want to sell him - and definately not to us - but I think he only had something like 18 months left on his contract and wasn't going to sign another one. I believe the Chavs tried to flog him elsewhere but he was determined to come to Arsenal, so that's a good sign.

Personally, I don't care whether people think that by selling Diarra to us, it means Chelsea don't see us as rivals. I know they do and also that getting Diarra has strengthened us and weakened them - even if only a little bit. Wait and see what the reaction of the Chav's fans is, and then people will realise they rate Diarra highly and didn't want to lose him, especially to us!!

Finally, as one of the regulars in the gang of 'pessimists/realists' on this forum, I'm very happy with this deal (as you can probably tell!) and may be in serious danger of 'converting' into an optomist before too long!!

RaM · Post by **RaM** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 1:54 am

If what I read is true he could be a very good player for us.

Do you guys expect him to be playing in the first 11? Bench?

Or just a squad player?

I've never seen him play so I'm only going by what I've heard...

mrmage · Post by **mrmage** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 3:10 am

I'm a little surprised, cos I thought Diaby was for this spot. But then its all about having quality available to cover Fab's spot should need be, and he will also be great cover when Kolo & Manu go home to win the African Nations. Nice one Arsene! We do have depth now, and I'm happier.. Don't think he will start straight away, but won't be long..

Galasso · Post by **Galasso** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 5:36 am

A very good signing!

Adds quality to our squad.

I agree that Chelsea in reality probably didn't really want to let him go, but when you stock pile central midfielders like they did to prevent anyone else taking them, then something is likely to give in the end.

And with no undue respect to Flamini, if he challenges for a midfield position with Gilberto, then I will not be unhappy.

Hagbard 23 · Post by **Hagbard 23** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 6:11 am

LASSANA DIARRA - LASAGNA DIAHRROEA

With a name like that he just has to play for the Arse'...

we_are_the_arsenal · Post by **we_are_the_arsenal** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 6:27 am

Eboue Can't Defend wrote:I have to say I'm shocked by the news - because I didn't think Chelsea would sell him to us - but very, very happy!! Saw the kid play about three years ago (when we were first linked with him) and thought he was very impressive.

Although some people will ask why we have signed yet another central midfielder, I'm telling you, this guy will prove to be a great signing. Still young, at 22 years of age, Diarra has already broken into the French national side and is seen as the natural replacement for Claude Makalalli (wrong spelling, I know). However, he will end up being better than the Chav midfielder because he has more strings to his bow. Maybe he is the long term replacement for Gilberto?

Many people on here (including me) have complained that Flamini - hard working as he is - isn't quite good enough for Arsenal, but I can tell you this guy definately is. Diarra is a more complete midfield player than either Gilberto or Flamini, in that he can play the defensive wall role and is versatile - like Gilberto and Flamini - but also has excellent passing ability - unlike Gilberto and Flamini.

Mark my words, in years to come we will look back and be saying that Wenger pulled off a master-stroke getting Diarra. I fully expect him to have a long and successful career with Arsenal.

i'm with you there, he will prove to be a huge asset for us, well done wenger.

Post by **REB** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 7:26 am

Chunky The Gooner wrote:somebody put the same thread on "for sale and wanted" by mistake

guess he was for sale and wanted,, good player but surprised that chavs sold him 2 us he was out of contract in the summer and by all accounts dug his heels in 2 move 2 the grove either now or in the summer for free