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Abou Diaby's performance vs Liverpool proves we were robbed of a modern PL great, he was truly special

Home> Football

Updated 09:35 13 Sep 2022 GMT+1Published 09:33 13 Sep 2022 GMT+1

Abou Diaby's performance vs Liverpool proves we were robbed of a modern PL great, he was truly special

What could've been.

Daniel Marland

Daniel Marland

Abou Diaby dropped a masterclass in Arsenal's 2-0 victory over Liverpool back in 2012 and fans are getting emotional thinking about what could've been.

Snapped up from Auxerre for £2 million in 2006, the midfielder was gifted with incredible technical ability and looked to be a natural replacement for Patrick Vieira.

Diaby suffered a staggering 42 injuries in nine years however and it very much spoiled what could've been an elite Premier League career.

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The few times he got to strut his stuff, you could see what a talented player he was. Case in point, Diaby's performance at Anfield 10 years ago.

Goals from Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla gave Arsene Wenger's side the win, but the star of the show was Diaby.

Watching him whip balls around the pitch with ease and beat every single press is a joy to watch.

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Diaby wasn't afraid to take a man on either, regularly driving into the heart of Liverpool's defence.

Sadly, the FA Cup winner would never reach those heights again.

Diaby picked up an injury against Chelsea later that month and played 11 more times for Arsenal in total before leaving in 2015.

Could this be the Gunners' biggest 'what if?' moment. Supporters on social media seem to think so.

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Diaby spent nine years at Arsenal. (Image
Alamy)

One person said: "Should have been one of the very best."

Another commented: "One of my favourite ever performances. Remember this game so vividly."

A third put: "Top, top player. Injuries robbed world football here."

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While someone tweeted: "This lives rent free in my head. Just think about how good he could've been."

Diaby's injury issues started in a 3-0 victory over Sunderland back in 2006.

Dan Smith lunged in on the former France international and fractured his ankle, forcing him to have three different surgeries and eight months on the shelf.

After a spell with Marseille, Diaby called time on his career in 2017, at just 32-years-old.

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Diaby retired in 2019. (Image
Alamy)

Wenger believes that challenged from Smith is what prevented him from reaching the top.

"I am sad that you are finishing your career," he declared during an appearance on RMC. "It is strange because last night I was asked about you and this tackle from Sunderland that hurt you so badly and I spoke about your courage and strength that you showed to come back.

"Unfortunately, you were not able to express all the talent that you have. But I am sure that you will have success in whatever comes next. I hope it for you, thank you and I wish you all the best for the future."

Featured Image Credit: @fcbsena_/Twitter

Topics: Arsenal, Liverpool, Premier League

Daniel Marland
Daniel Marland

Daniel is a social editor for SPORTbible after moving from the writing team. Nearly scored past Stormzy at Old Trafford once.

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@DanMarland_

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