ABOU DIABY PROFILE

Vassiriki Abou Diaby

Abou Diaby is a French international footballer of Ivorian descent. Diaby's natural position is as a box-to-box central midfielder, as he is adept in both attack and defence. Diaby's physical appearance and positional preference have evoked comparisons to Arsenal legend and compatriot, Patrick Vieira, by Arsenal manager, Arsène Wenger and by journalists.

When he's fit and firing on all cylinders, Abou is one of Arsenal's most dynamic players.

Physically strong and reassuringly tall, the French midfielder can transform defence into attack with a twist, a turn and a driving run. What's more he loves to get forward to support the attack and contributes his fair share of goals.

Abou used to operate on the left of midfield but he has benefited from Arsenal's switch to a 4-3-3 formation and now he spends more time in his favoured central role.

A graduate of the famous Clairefontaine Academy near Paris, Abou captained France Under-19s to success in the 2005 European Championship and played in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Abou Diaby is a 'non-homegrown' player in Arsenal's official Premier League squad.

Abou Diaby profile

Name                 : Vassiriki Abou Diaby
Born                   : May 11, 1986
                            Paris, France
Position              : Midfielder
Squad Number   : 2
Previous Club(s) : Auxerre Paris, Saint-Germain
Joined Arsenal    : January 13, 2006