Song vs Diaby = Flamini vs Baptista

Please take note, do not get confused over the article title. I am NOT comparing Song with Diaby, because if you continue reading my article, you’ll realised that I feel these 2 players are 2 different types of players and they should play in different positions. So do not get yourself confused.

Why Song = Flamini

The reason why I compare Song and Flamini is not because of the way they play or anything. It’s got nothing much to do with that. It’s because when I think of Song this season, I’m thinking of Mathieu Flamini in the 2007/08 season; an underrated young chap who finally fulfilled his potential and solved Arsenal’s midfield’s problems. Flamini in the 2007/08 season was playing at his best, and he played so well that he managed to knock Gilberto Silva out of the first team. Not only that, Arsenal has been criticised for a lack of physical players. The end result being us dropping points against teams who use their physical prowess and not technique to win, teams like Bolton and Blackburn come to mind. And Flamini was the solution to the problem. He provided the strength to ensure Arsenal’s footballers don’t get bullied by the Premiership’s “athletes”. That season, we nearly won the tile (so near yet so far).

So, is Song going to do a “Flamini’? I’m starting to think so. After watching him play in the first few matches, I think he’s proved that not only can he play well against the weaker teams, he can stand up strong against the big teams like Man Utd. When I saw him play against Everton, I felt that he would struggle to cope with better players like Rooney, Lampard and Gerrard etc. So far so good though. It seems that Song is finally fulfilling his potential and playing well. But I’ve seen 1 weakness in him, and that is he’s not a really good passer. If that’s the case, then why pass? Give it to Fabregas or Denilson and let them to your job. Song’s duty is simple, down and dirty. Just get the ball when he see it.

All I hope is that he doesn’t follow Flamini in everything he does, like for example leaving Arsenal to join AC Milan for a huge sum of money.

However my main concern is the time during January. A lot of people tend to forget this, but it’s the African Cup of Nations. That means Song will be leaving for a month to play for Cameroon in the tournament (I’ve always felt it should be held once every 4 years, not 2). That’s when our trouble comes. Who to take his place? Diaby? My next point will explain why not.

Why Diaby = Baptista

Unlike Song and Flamini, Diaby and Baptista do have a similar style of play that I notice when Diaby plays. Now let’s talk about Diaby. He is:

1. A bad defender (from what I’ve seen)

2. A bad header (the own goal says it all)

3. Strong (He managed to out-muscle Rooney and can go past defenders not with skill but strength)

4. A bad shooter

So after analyzing the points, that’s when I realised, “Hey, this guy plays a little like Baptista…”

Before I continue with Diaby, let’s talk about Baptista. He’s nicknamed “The Beast” for his superior physique, and he’s known to make full use of that ability by going past 3 or 4 defenders (back at Sevilla), not with skill but strength. Believe it or not, that has earned him a career in football. That’s when I think Diaby can actually be groomed into a Baptista kind of player, the strong, attacking-midfielder who dribbles more than he creates. I’ve seen him beat defenders and I have to admit, he does have a few tricks up his sleeves. And when he’s in a bad mood to do tricks, he has that strength to just go past defenders without much fancy footwork. So instead of wasting his time and skill by playing in a central-midfield role, in which he’s expected to go back to defend, why not just push him forward, make him an attacking midfielder and tell him not to bother about defending? In fact if he shows that he can make it in an attacking-midfielder role, I’m willing to try deploying him as a second striker. Big gamble but if you never try, you’ll never know.

When Diaby first came to Arsenal, Arsene Wenger labeled him “the next Patrick Vieira”. But after seeing him for 4 seasons at the club, I would say he’s more like “the next Julio Baptista”. Re-training players to play in new positions are normally risky (take Alan Smith for example), but since Diaby isn’t shining as a central-midfielder, the best bet would to try to play him as an attacking-midfielder. If he still can’t make it in that position, then my suggestion would be for Diaby to move clubs. Arsenal just isn’t right for him.

Do you agree with me about my comparisons? Do you think Diaby should be re-trained as an attacking midfielder? Who should play in Song’s role when he leave for the African Cup of Nations? I want to hear your views (but please play nice). Thanks for reading.

Dariano

My advice to Arsenal fans: Lower your expectations and be happy you’re qualifying for Champions League

The header says it all.

But I didn’t came up with the header for no reason. Only a real, major turning point can make me give an article a title so harsh, so clear-cut title. So what is that major turning point?

Aston Villa 2-2 Arsenal.

Not convincing enough? How about this:

Clearly, Aston Villa had more chances, although they lack possession. Aston Villa should have won. What? Oh my gosh.

In the past it’s always Arsenal being in Aston Villa’s position, having lots of chances, dominating possession but they just somehow, someway, doesn’t get the win they deserve. Examples include the match against Stoke and some will argue Sunderland and Hull. This time it’s Aston Villa who have lots of shots, forcing Almunia to make saves, and the defence to be tested to the limit.

Kudos to Sagna

Yep, kudos to him. Man of the Match in my opinion. In attack he was delivering crosses, and at the back he was making superb clearances and well-timed tackles. For now I would say he’s better than Clichy, as he’s more consistent, and defending or attacking is a no-problem for him.

Sagna - Better than Clichy

Diaby

I had to write an article specially on him just for his incredible backheel-plus-nutmeg. Check it out.

Ashley Young’s one of the hottest youngsters at the moment

The Ronaldo Impersonation attempt

Last season he already drew media attention with his performances, but this season he establish himself as a key man behind Aston Villa’s attack. Perhaps one of the players that is responsible for the league position Villa are in, he’s fast, he dribbles well, he’s an expert freekick taker, he can score and he can create. What more do you ask from a 23 year-old winger? And honestly his dressing style kinda reminds me of Cristiano Ronaldo, you know, the long socks and the shirt sleeves. No wonder Real Madrid wants him. Can’t get the original? Then go for the imitation!

Don’t bother aruging, it WAS a penalty

Yes, it was a penalty. Normally people tend to use excuses such as poor refereeing to blame for their under-performance, but it is a penalty, and long time watchers of football should be able to tell that Gallas’ tackle had no contact with the ball, and it was an obvious penalty. I don’t really blame Gallas for that though, he was just unlucky that it wasn’t somebody else committing the tackle.

Back to the title

Back to my heading. So Arsenal fans, i suggest you stop talking or thinking about winning the league and how you all “still stand a chance”. It’s over, and I can only imagine Arsenal getting as far as 3rd. In fact they should even be happy they can qualify for the Champions League, because Aston Villa’s a really good team this season, and i would expect a close fight between the Villains and the Gunners, just like how they did with Spurs 2 years ago.

Remember the kiss on Highbury's turf that just got Arsenal into the Champions League? Expect the same this season, just that it's gonna be a slap on the face

I want to hear from all the Arsenal fans out there. Surely you feel the same way I do? Or you still stubbornly think that Arsenal can still win the league? Tell me more in the comments box.

Dariano

Diaby: This boy’s a little special

Abou Diaby.

Years ago he he would be associated with the “Alex Songs” and “Amaury Bischoff” kind of players today, if you know what I mean. That means, if he was injured, it wouldn’t be such a big heartbreak of Fabregas’ proportions. If you’re still so “old school” and feels it’s the same Diaby now, then watch how he played in Aston Villa vs Arsenal. Maybe he didn’t really put up a “hero of the day” performance (that title goes to Sagna), but that backheel of his, oh it was sensational. One of the best in recent times perhaps.

The big thing about it isn’t the backheel itself, it was the player who executes it. Abou Diaby. What in the world? You kidding me?

This kid has really gone a long way, years ago he was “strictly right-footed” and could only operate in the centre. But now, he’s two-footed, left foot, right foot, no problem. When he first came to Arsenal he was dubbed the “new Patrick Vieira” by Arsene Wenger. Okay, I know Vieira outmuscles guys, has long legs, can head well, but I didn’t know he could do a fantastic backheel-plus-nutmeg. Diaby can. it shows how good Arsene Wenger is at re-training players, and how good Diaby really is, let’s just say Diaby’s potential is a treasure chest, and Arsene Wenger is the key to unlocking it. Not every manager has the right key, but Arsene Wenger owns Diaby’s.

For those who didn’t see the goal, maybe I will post a video. But for now, I will tell you exactly what he did.

Diaby was shielding the ball from Curtis Davies, and out of nowhere, he does a clever backheel, nutmegs Davies in the process, and got onto the ball. He then finds Eboue, and credit to Eboue, for bringing the ball into the box and executing a pin-point, perfect pass to Diaby, who then finishes it pass Brad Friedel. Mind you, Adebayor needs a couple of clear cut chances to score, but he only needs one.

Oooh what a goal. Sadly it wasn’t enough for Arsenal to get a win, or else he would be making headlines.

Dariano