Diarra Leaves, Sparks Mild Pangs of Regret

By: Dan | January 18th, 2008

This has been a slow week for Arsenal. After a disheartening 1-1 draw with Birmingham where only an Adebayor penalty saved us a point, Arsenal have a week-long rest for the Fulham game tomorrow. Arsenal’s title ambitions have taken a serious dent after the tie, particularly as Manchester United thrashed Newcastle and rose seven goals over us by goal differential, taking first place. After a week off, the first team looked sluggish against Brum, with Theo Walcott playing his worst game in memory. I have faith in Wenger, but Walcott is also not in the squad against Fulham.

And tomorrow is Fulham. It is simply a must win, and though Fulham is my second team (as it is for many Americans), a solid win would do a lot to restoring Arsenal’s title hopes. We have the first team (except for Robin van Persie, whose injuries are beginning to seriously hurt the team. I have wondered about the Arsenal physio before, and these recurrent injuries [he had a knee injury in October] seem far too frequent for coincidence). There are simply no excuses for anything but a win. All due respect to Fulham, a tie or loss would be near-disastrous for our title ambitions. It was around this time last year that we crashed (painfully) out of all four competitions, and I would prefer that to not happen again.

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The other news is the departure of Diarra to Pompey. Traditionally a retirement home for former Arsenal players (Kanu, Campbell, Lauren, Tony Adams in management, etc.), Diarra decided that Portsmouth is the team to secure him a place in Euro 2008 for France. Fair enough to him if he wants to play regularly, but he should have realized the improbability of jumping instantly into the Arsenal first team when he left Chelsea. I can understand the move, but I can’t get past his attitude.

Unlike many players who at least offer a few pleasantries to their new club, Diarra opened with:

“The people at Portsmouth know I will not spend my life at this club. If I shine, if a really big club wants me, I know already that everything will go well.”

Wait…I think a “really big club” did want you and brought you in, but you were too impatient to wait longer then 4 months before leaving. I liked the player, and I regret his leaving, but he seems to have an Anelka-sized ego to go with his crisp passing and hard tackling. I hope Arsenal snuck in a clause of first refusal into the transfer agreement, but beyond that I think the little saga is done.

What is vital now though is for Flamini to sign a new contract. Pay the man what he is worth Arsene.

Oh, and a short piece on Gallas. He has relished the role of captain, and positive statements like this are great. Now, get out there and beat Fulham.

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