this being the first post on Abou for some time, I would just like to say "WHERE ARE ALL THE CRITICS NOW??" He is in the top 2 or 3 players for us at the moment, he gets better with every match. I reckon it's the "Samson Effect", the more his 'fro grows, the stronger he becomes! Go Abou!!!

his first half of the season was rubbish, his 2nd half has been very very good! its not about where his critics are, cos i was one of em. its jus that we were frustrated as hell that this guy was not fulfilling his potential. he's starting to cut out his laziness, is showing much more confidence n most important of all, he is exerting his physical size on the game. with him, song n cesc in the midfield post jan, we're gonna be great....

He's still got a long way to go, but he has had some ordinary games in with the good games.

He's stepped up well when Cesc has been away, which is always a problem I saw for him.

Unfortunately, with Ramsey getting better, his opportunities will be limited once again.

He's been good this season though, but he hasn't proven himself yet. He's on the way though.

If Diaby can keep the form up that he has been in lately... the work he is doing is box to box he is chipping in with some solid defence and pushing on and creating and finishing some great opportunities... him and song could create quite a partnership in midfield and would make cesc feel more comfortable to push on... with deni (who I still dont think is as bad as most think) and nasri etc etc for back up..

Totally agree with you there Chris, and in some ways Diaby's ability and what he brings to the midfield is starting to make him one of our most important players. Importantly, he is still only 23 and so the potential room for improvement is still there so he may still get better over the coming seasons. What has held him back is that that he has often picked up injuries just when he is beginning to play with confidence so lets hope he can stay on the park.

You can't fault his dedication while everyone else was on holiday he stayed in the gym to strengthen up.. he had a couple of injuries this season but if he can put a good run together like he has been he will play a huge part at any challenge for silverware we make this season and hopefully more to come...

Any word on how bad the injury is yet? he was very lucky to not end up like Eduardo and Rambo after that so called tackle from the bolton scrubber.

Luckily, he may only miss a couple of games after it was first feared he might be out for a while.

Considering it was the same leg that was broken against Sunderland a few years ago, I'm not surprised he was so angry.

Still no word on the injury, but I'd imagine it'll be a few weeks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD2oThVs ... r_embedded

Something to get the blood boiling...

He should be in the squad for Saturday.

Good to hear that he wasn't badly injured.

Vermaelen will be back also.