Diaby - I dream of winning the Ballon d'Or

As we're unlikely to see terraces again at football, this is the virtual equivalent where you can chat to your hearts content about all football matters and, obviously, Arsenal in particular. This forum encourages all Gooners to visit and contribute so please keep it respectful, clean and topical.
User avatar
Vince
Posts: 1454
Joined: Fri Aug 22, 2008 11:47 pm
Location: Paris
Contact:

Diaby - I dream of winning the Ballon d'Or

Post by Vince »

:lol: :lol: :lol:

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528, ... 19,00.html?
Abou Diaby has revealed that Chelsea were also in the running to sign him before he opted for Arsenal.

The French midfielder was regarded as one of Europe's hottest prospects after making the breakthrough at Auxerre while still in his teens.

A desperate clamour for his services duly ensued, with clubs across the continent battling it out for his signature.

Among those keen to bring him on board were Premier League rivals Arsenal and Chelsea, with both holding talks with the burly anchorman.

Diaby admits he held lengthy discussions with both clubs, but confesses that he chose the Gunners as they could offer him the greater opportunity to become a regular first-team regular.

"Did Chelsea try to sign me in 2005? Yes, but it was very complex," the 24-year-old told L'Equipe.

"I visited the facilities but when I was there I had a chat with Lassana Diarra and he told me: 'Abou, I have not played for three months'. That made me hesitate.
Dream

"I even had a chat with Jose Mourinho. He was very frank and told me: 'I have a big team, with big players and I can't guarantee you anything, but we do want you'.

"Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger told me that he was looking for a midfielder to replace (Patrick) Vieira, that I had the same profile and that I would play.

"Also, at that time, Arsenal had the French connection. Robert Pires and Thierry Henry were there, and that makes you dream.

"There were choices to make and Arsenal wanted me. They seemed exciting to me.

"People told me: 'You will make a complete mess if you go abroad so young'. But I have my own objectives and I have tried to match them.

"I want to play for a big club, be in the French team and be a great player.

"I dream of winning the Ballon d'Or. I hope to win it one day. There is no shame in saying that."

mikeyb772001
Posts: 4569
Joined: Sat Mar 06, 2010 7:03 pm
Location: Block 6! Drunk and standing next to a mad man with no clothes on!

Post by mikeyb772001 »

What sickens me the most is that if Diaby did go the chavs rather than us, he would probably be one of the best midfielders in the Prem. :banghead:

User avatar
Boomer
Posts: 8604
Joined: Fri Jul 11, 2008 11:00 am
Location: Putting the 'THE' back in the Arsenal.

Post by Boomer »

Lassana Diarra fucking us over again! :roll: :banghead:


:lol:

User avatar
marcengels
Posts: 7208
Joined: Sat May 02, 2009 11:12 pm
Location: North Bank

Post by marcengels »

I've read it all now.

Goodbye.

:heads:

User avatar
franksav63
Posts: 14520
Joined: Sat Dec 13, 2008 2:07 pm
Location: Home - Whitechapel - Arsenal Block 6 - Twitter - @franksav63
Contact:

Post by franksav63 »

Diaby, probably one of the most inconsistent players that I've ever seen play for us, his progress has obviously been hampered by a catalogue of injuries, that started by that terrible tackle by Dan Smith of Sunderland a few seasons back, nevertheless, in my opinion, he should now be sold off, as his bad games totally outnumber his good ones.

User avatar
DB10GOONER
Posts: 62169
Joined: Tue Jan 16, 2007 2:06 pm
Location: Dublin, Ireland.
Contact:

Post by DB10GOONER »

marcengels wrote:I've read it all now.

Goodbye.

:heads:

:lol: :lol: :lol:

rigsby
Posts: 3046
Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2008 11:52 am

Post by rigsby »

He's either top draw or rubbish. Against Chelsea he played very well but against WBA he was fucking awful.

User avatar
DB10GOONER
Posts: 62169
Joined: Tue Jan 16, 2007 2:06 pm
Location: Dublin, Ireland.
Contact:

Post by DB10GOONER »

rigsby wrote:He's either top draw or rubbish. Against Chelsea he played very well but against WBA he was fucking awful.
I think that's the thing with him; no consistancy. He either looks great or just simply shit. Frustrates the fuck out of me! :(

User avatar
BT
Posts: 1591
Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2008 4:26 pm
Location: London

Post by BT »

'Chelsea wanted to sign me but it was very complex'

In summary, "I'm not that good, Chelsea thought I might make a good squad addition which is, really, all I am up to, at best. Arsenal, on the other hand, thought that because I am tall, black and French, I could replace one of the greatest players ever to grace the pitch who by luck, was also tall, black and French. Who's laughing now eh?'

This makes me want to weep.

User avatar
rodders999
Posts: 22732
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2008 1:59 pm
Location: Diamond Club

Post by rodders999 »

That's the type of sheer delusion that is rife within our squad. They all think they're far better than they actually are, they're all paid far more than what they're actually worth, they haven't a fucking medal between them and they are all living in cloud cookoo land.

CUCKOO
CUCKOO
CUCKOO

User avatar
QuartzGooner
Posts: 14474
Joined: Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:49 pm
Location: London

Post by QuartzGooner »

A player I have lost faith in.
Slow and lacks reliable final ball.
Looked good before his serious injury, but I cannot see what he adds to the squad other than size and strength.

User avatar
goonersid
Posts: 8838
Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 9:40 am
Location: DERRY CITY

Post by goonersid »

rodders999 wrote:That's the type of sheer delusion that is rife within our squad. They all think they're far better than they actually are, they're all paid far more than what they're actually worth, they haven't a fucking medal between them and they are all living in cloud cookoo land.

CUCKOO
CUCKOO
CUCKOO
If someone tells you and everyone else, everyday that you are brilliant, then you will believe no matter how shite you are.
And that's what our deluded cukoo manager tells all the players in our squad. Just look at his views on AL and Flappy. :roll:

User avatar
Boomer
Posts: 8604
Joined: Fri Jul 11, 2008 11:00 am
Location: Putting the 'THE' back in the Arsenal.

Post by Boomer »

QuartzGooner wrote:A player I have lost faith in.
Slow and lacks reliable final ball.
Looked good before his serious injury, but I cannot see what he adds to the squad other than size and strength.
Slow, in terms of mental speed.

How many times do I see us break only for the ball to be given to Diaby. Who, with runners left and right, moves the ball about 5 yrds to the left to look....then to the right. By now the wingers have had to stop......
the ball is then released to Denilson.

:banghead: :banghead:

User avatar
HashKads
Posts: 5267
Joined: Thu Jul 23, 2009 2:44 pm
Location: Maiden name: KingJayson

Post by HashKads »

One word;

No.

User avatar
Vince
Posts: 1454
Joined: Fri Aug 22, 2008 11:47 pm
Location: Paris
Contact:

Post by Vince »

In the new France team, he's considered as one of the best player, and he's highly rated in France. Which is funny, because he never played in France (except a few games with France team). I think they'll be disappointed very soon when they'll understand that his great game against Bosnia was an accident and for 1 great game there's 6-7 poor performances.

Post Reply