The possibility of Abou retire with Arsenal shirt is getting closer to reality,

How sad would it be if he got a testimonial but couldn't get fit enough to play in it?

Imagine how awesome he would be by now had he not been on the end of a ridiculous tackle by a nobody scrub?

Could have won us the damn title in 2007-08 and 2010-11 ffs. That was the closest we came, prior to that 128 day period last season.

srigooner wrote:Could have won us the damn title in 2007-08 and 2010-11 ffs. That was the closest we came, prior to that 128 day period last season.

I wouldn't go that far.......

He's gonna get a contract extension?
22 appearances in 4 seasons....... sometimes you gotta be ruthless.

why is this one of the times where you have to be ruthless though?
It's not like fighting the Nazis or something, it's just giving the guy who's dealing with injuries while employed by your club a little bit money, of which you have enough.

Hapless_Hans wrote:why is this one of the times where you have to be ruthless though?
It's not like fighting the Nazis or something, it's just giving the guy who's dealing with injuries while employed by your club a little bit money, of which you have enough.

You can take care of him OFF the books.

£60k a week? 22 appearances in 4 years?
The club is clearly taking care of him, but he shouldn't be books.

Very similar to Hargreaves at Man Utd.

Wait where is this 60k coming from? I vaguely remember him being put on lower wages proportional to appearances or something when he last extended.

And nobody said he IS extending and we ARE offering a contract. The response of AW to the question was that he respects Diaby and would LIKE TO offer him an extension IF he becomes available.

Also, Diaby isn't the same ilk as freeloaders we had in the past (read: Deadwood). With Hans on this, even if he hasn't been able to contribute on the pitch, he has his role off the pitch in reminding injured players and youth how respectable and understanding and supportive this management is - these are important intangibles for any player. There is a reason why even players who left in the most acrimonious of circumstances don't spew venom about the club after leaving it.

Football is all about money today. Yes. But there are, ever so often, those small acts of humanity which helps to keep some semblance of faith in the modern game. Dortmund have their fans. We have Diaby.

And I can't think of (m)any Arsenal fans, in GL or otherwise, who think paying Diaby on our payroll is a problem - we have a billion other things which are wrong with the club and more bothering.

EDIT: I know I am being a bit sentimental about this whole thing. Doesn't change my opinion though.

Come to think about it, Wenger offload Giovanni van Bronckhorst for 2 freaking million after 6 months of injury followed up by one season of good performance and Gio became the most featured player during Barca 1st cycle of success. Wenger must really have some faith in Diaby up his ass to talk about extending contract

I think at 28 there's no way we could seriously consider it... I hope he gets signed by a solid club for 15/16 and has a decent run to see out his career. Just better not see him in white & navy!

Wenger suggests Diaby could be released on free due to injury setback

“He is still injured and is not close to coming back. We will have to make a decision on his contract.”

Unfortunately, there is no more decision to make. We are beyond that point, however hard it may be to admit to that on humanitarian grounds.

Yeah, watch us release him, he then goes to Chelsea or City and, miraculously, gets over all and any injury woes

Wait, why is he not close to coming back? Last I heard, he was fit and in training? What happened?

he's a freak of nature.

we could just give him an entirely incentives-based contract but that would also be pretty immoral since he'd be homeless within months.

Diaby has made around 30m at Arsenal, and saved every penny.

Diaby is rich for life.

Worth every penny just to see him humble Joey Barton and, literally, bring him to his knees

I'll miss this song. It's been quite some time since I heard it live

Wenger hints at new contract for Abou Diaby

‘I had a chat with him and told him how I can envisage the future,’ said Wenger.

‘He has to make a decision. Of course he understands completely that he has to perform and to show that he can be present on a consistent way.

‘I will see where we go from there. I wouldn’t like to go into details, we have to meet again to see where we go from what I told him.’

http://metro.co.uk/2015/04/02/arsenal-fans-lose-their-heads-as-arsene-wenger-hints-at-new-abou-diaby-deal-5132544/

Think judging by Wenger's quotes today, it seems if Diaby can play some games between now and the end of the campaign that he will receive a pay-as-you-play deal next season.

Has been released by Arsenal? Such a sad tale of footballer, thanks u and gl. Wonder where and what he will end up doing next.

Yep. The tale comes to an end.

Loved how he came on against Liverpool 2 years back to boss the game and then swiftly got subbed after a while lol.

Shame it never happened for him.

And a massive shame players like Dan Smith are responsible for ending careers just because someone is better than them.

I don't think we have released him yet, only his contract has expired.

We might yet offer him a new contract still.

L'Equipe reporting his future here is not necessarily over. Arsenal holding talks for a new contract, possibly pay as you play. The news that he had been released was because he was not listed on our 'retained' set of players. It's not a definitive thing just because he was there.

'Verbal agreement' reached according to the correspondent.

http://metro.co.uk/2015/06/10/abou-diaby-in-talks-over-new-arsenal-contract-hes-set-to-stay-put-5240009/

FFS we really can't renew his contract again. Even if it is on a pay as you play basis. I think we just need to part ways, it's for the best for both parties. There's only so much time you can give something a chance.

Thought he was released a couple of days back..