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Frustrated Diaby is ready to walk out on Arsenal
Wayne Veysey, Evening Standard15 Nov 2007
Abou Diaby has revealed he will think about leaving Arsenal if he fails to secure a regular starting spot.
The 21-year-old midfielder has been demoted from the senior France squad to the Under-21s and will consider a summer exit if his situation at club level does not change.
"This time I've not been called up by France and I do not play that much for Arsenal," said Diaby. "I need playing time. I thought I would continue to play after I scored [against Derby] but it did not happen.
"I remain patient and do not give up because I know my chance will come. The situation is like this today but it can change tomorrow. The players that are on the pitch are not automatically better than those who are on the bench, but they do their job very well. The season is long so I do not plan a move yet.
Maybe later if it continues, but not in January.
"I am not playing but I do not think it will last until the end of the season."
Arsenal have high hopes of reaching the last four of the UEFA Women's Cup after a 0-0 draw at Lyon in the first leg of their quarter-final last night.
In front of a crowd of 5,000, Arsenal's Kelly Smith hit the bar from long range while Jayne Ludlow had a header cleared off the line.
The second leg is next Wednesday at Boreham Wood FC.
Reader views (1)
This is very interesting - Mr Wenger definitely has his hands full on this one. I have always thought the team is overloaded with top midfield talent and it is unrealistic to expect young players to sit it out(Denilson and Song for Fabregas; Diaby and Flamini, Hleb and a few others for what is the holding role in the team); while their mates are strutting their own stuff. Too many kids and not enough experience, that would ultimately be their undoing! But let's see. Their football is too nice to miss out on by the purist like myself!
- Steve Graves, Gravesend, UK, 15/11/2007 22:20
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