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Abou Diaby believes Arsenal have enough quality to win the Champions League this season.
The Frenchman is brimming with confidence following his brace during the 4-1 victory against Portsmouth at the weekend, which helped Arsenal maintain their 100 per cent start to the season.
Diaby is desperate to cement his place at the heart of the midfield and show Arsene Wenger he can become the new Patrick Vieira.
Following a superb display against Portsmouth, he will be hoping to keep his place when they face Celtic in the second leg of the Champions League qualifier at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.
After coming away with an impressive 2-0 victory in the first leg, Diaby is confident his team can book their place in the group stages of the competition and make up for the disappointment of last season when they were knocked out by Manchester United in the semi-finals.
Diaby said: "We talk about winning the Champions League. Arsenal are a big club and deserve to win a big title like the Champions League and as a player you want to win that trophy as well so it's in our mind. I would like to be in United's place and be in the final. It's good for them and obviously we want to have the same success.
"We can definitely challenge everyone this season. We are ready to fight and to get something this year. It will be hard against Celtic, they are a good team and now we are focused on this game. Everyone knows it will not be easy even after winning the first leg so we will have to be focused to go through.
"We have scored 12 goals in three games, we have confidence and hopefully we can keep going. "
Cesc Fabregas is facing an anxious wait to see how serious his hamstring injury is and Diaby knows this could be the perfect chance for him to nail down his place in the side.
Diaby added: "I don't know what's happened with Cesc, but we all try to play and do our best for the team. I scored two goals and it's good to show the manager that the team can score goals from midfield as well as from the strikers."
As well as winning silverware for Arsenal this season, Diaby is also dreaming of playing for France at the World Cup next summer.
"I want to stay fit, play the maximum number of games and do really well this season," he said.
"I know it's a big season for me. The World Cup is in my mind, of course. We have to qualify first but I want to be there and make sure I am in the team."
Reader views (9)
Gentlemen, please lets not get carried away. lets all just pray that we are spared the injuries we suffered during the last two seasons. the good lord has blessed us with a bunch of talented players. as my north London comrade observed, there is a few players on the verge of returning to the team. I look forward getting the first 10 matches out of the way then lets all have a party. Amen
- Antonio, London, 25/08/2009 15:04
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To all detractors in particular Spud fans. You have to be in it to make any sort of comment on the champions league. Have you played in it? No. Have you played in Semi Finals? No. In a final? No. When you reach that level then I may listen to you. I suppose your're going to release a DVD of your start to the season the highlights of the 09/10 season!!!!
- Uday Desai, Coventry UK, 25/08/2009 10:54
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Wait to Arsenal play someone good then everyone will see how over rated they are
- Matt, Deal, 24/08/2009 21:45
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Jamie your team last won the Title NEARLY 50 YEARS AGO! While we are playing another Champions League match on Wednesday your spuds team are playing...er Doncaster Rovers in the Micky Mouse cup...ha ha I rest my case lovl. Up the Gunners!
- Sean, Cork, Ireland, 24/08/2009 18:18
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Great start so far - Managing a win against Everton away, a match we drew last season. With the likes of Walcott, Nasri, Rosicky, Fabianski, Djourou & Vela coming back from injury, our squad is looking formidable. Just need another tall centre back, as stated by Arsene Wenger. Abou Diaby looks like he will fullfill his potential, as do Song, Bentner & Denilson.
- Rob Gooner, North London, 24/08/2009 17:12
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Bit early to be predicting Arsenal will be champions of Europe,but with the sort of football they are playing at the moment Arsenal will be in contention,Wenger has tweaked the team to perfection or close to it,with a couple of new signings this week they are near on the finished article.To the Spurs fans commenting, come the end of the season you will be lucky to get 6th no matter how much cash you throw at the problem,close but no cigar.I agree with Abuja Arsenal are playing some sexy football,and if they carry on in this form this could be a great season.
- Jim Ex Pat,Islington N1, thailand, 24/08/2009 15:51
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David you forgot to mention that championship team north of the border.
They say us Spurs fans get carried away,Every season they say that they will win the premier league & champions league???
- Jamie, essex, 24/08/2009 15:00
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News flash you idiot,Arsenal have played relegation threated Portsmouth and out of form Everton.I think he needs to wait until they play a top half of the table side before declareing any victory.
- David, london, 24/08/2009 11:49
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4 diaby injury-free will be portion dis season 4 is ur season. Dis year's Champions league is come to emirates home of sexy football. UP GUNNERS, IN WENGER WE TRUST 4EVER.
- Papilo, Abuja nigeria, 24/08/2009 10:56
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