Abou Diaby
Personal information
Full name	Vassiriki Abou Diaby
Date of birth	May 11, 1986 (1986-05-11) (age 22)
Place of birth	Paris, France
Height	1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)[1]
Playing position	Central Midfielder
Club information
Current club	Arsenal
Number	2
Youth clubs
1999–2001	Paris Saint-Germain
Senior clubs1
Years	Club	App (Gls)*
2003–2004 2004–2006 2006–	Auxerre B Auxerre Arsenal	11 (1) 10 (1) 39 (3)
National team2
2004–2005 2006– 2007–	France U19 France U21 France	14 (0) 01 (0) 03 (0)
1 Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 12:00, 4 April 2008 (UTC). 2 National team caps and goals correct as of 12:00, 20 December 2007 (UTC). * Appearances (Goals) is the 131st day of the year (132nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar). ... This article is about the capital of France. ... For the Australian Rules position, see Midfielder (Australian Rules). ... Arsenal Football Club (also known as Arsenal, The Arsenal or The Gunners) are an English professional football club based in Holloway, north London. ... This article is about the football (soccer) club. ... Association de la Jeunesse Auxerroise, or AJ Auxerre, is a French football team, founded in 1905, playing in the town of Auxerre in Burgundy. ... Association de la Jeunesse Auxerroise, or AJ Auxerre, is a French football team, founded in 1905, playing in the town of Auxerre in Burgundy. ... Arsenal Football Club (also known as Arsenal, The Arsenal or The Gunners) are an English professional football club based in Holloway, north London. ... First International U23: France 0-0 Norway Alès, November 11, 1970 U21: France 1-1 Belgium Amiens, September 3, 1976 Biggest win France 7-0 Yugoslavia Reims, November 16, 1985 Biggest defeat England 6-1 France Sheffield, February 28, 1984 Records for competitive matches only. ...

Vassiriki Abou Diaby (born May 11, 1986 in Paris) is a French football midfielder of Ivorian descent currently playing for Arsenal. He normally plays central midfielder but as of late has been playing on either wing for Arsenal. is the 131st day of the year (132nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar). ... This article is about the capital of France. ... “Soccer” redirects here. ... For the Australian Rules position, see Midfielder (Australian Rules). ... Arsenal Football Club (also known as Arsenal, The Arsenal or The Gunners) are an English professional football club based in Holloway, north London. ... Central midfielder is one of the most important role on a for a football team. ...

Club career

Early career

Diaby was born in Paris and joined the hometown club Paris Saint-Germain at age 13 despite being a Marseille supporter, subsequently leaving the club two years later.^[2] This article is about the capital of France. ... This article is about the football (soccer) club. ... Olympique de Marseille (also known as lOM or Marseille) is a football team that plays in Ligue 1, the top level of the French Football League, based in Marseille. ...

He joined Auxerre in 2003 and was a member of the Auxerre team that won the national U-16 championship that year. His coach at the time, Christian Henna, described him as a "very good technician, elegant, quick".^[3] He developed into a tall, powerful midfielder. Association de la Jeunesse Auxerroise, or AJ Auxerre, is a French football team, founded in 1905, playing in the town of Auxerre in Burgundy. ... Christian Henna (born 10 March 1972 in Mulhouse) is a retired French professional footballer who played for AJ Auxerre. ... For the Australian Rules position, see Midfielder (Australian Rules). ...

He signed as a professional at Auxerre, playing five matches in 2004–05 and five in the first half of 2005–06. His first match for Auxerre's first team came as a last-minute substitute against Rennes on August 14, 2004.^[4] Stade Rennais Football Club is a French football club from the city of Rennes, will play their 48th season in Ligue 1 (the top French division) in 2007-08. ... is the 226th day of the year (227th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Arsenal

On January 12, 2006, Diaby signed for Arsenal for a fee believed to be around £2m. Before joining the Gunners, he reportedly turned down a move to Arsenal's rivals Chelsea. He wears the number 2 shirt at Arsenal, which had been vacant since the retirement of Lee Dixon. Diaby has been touted as the replacement for former Gunners midfielder Patrick Vieira, due to his powerful, leggy style of play. He is able to play as an attacking midfielder, an athletic box-to-box midfield "schemer" or in a holding role in front of the back four. is the 12th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Arsenal Football Club (also known as Arsenal, The Arsenal or The Gunners) are an English professional football club based in Holloway, north London. ... Chelsea Football Club (also known as The Blues or previously The Pensioners) are an English professional football club based in west London. ... This article is about the footballer. ... Patrick Donalé Vieira (born June 23, 1976 in Dakar, Senegal)[1] is a French football midfielder who currently plays for Internazionale Milano. ...

He made his Arsenal début as a substitute in a 1–0 defeat to Everton on January 21, 2006. On April 1, Diaby came off the bench to score his first goal for Arsenal, in their 5–0 rout of Aston Villa, after being set-up by fellow Arsenal newcomer Emmanuel Adebayor. A month later however, on May 1, 2006, Diaby suffered a broken and dislocated ankle caused by a two-footed challenge by Sunderland's Dan Smith. As a result of the injury, Diaby was out for eight months, and returned to competitive action on January 9, 2007, when he came on as a substitute for Theo Walcott in Arsenal's League Cup Quarter-Final against Liverpool. A substitute is a player in football who is brought on to the pitch during a match in exchange for an existing player. ... Everton Football Club is an English football club located in the city of Liverpool. ... is the 21st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 91st day of the year (92nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Aston Villa redirects here. ... Emmanuel Adebayor (born 26 February 1984 in Lomé) is a Togolese football player of Nigerian descent who currently plays for Arsenal. ... is the 121st day of the year (122nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Sunderland Association Football Club (Sunderland AFC or SAFC) is an English Premiership football club, based at the newly-built Stadium of Light in Sunderland, on the River Wear in the North-East of England. ... is the 9th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... Theo James Walcott (born 16 March 1989 in Stanmore, London[1]) is an English footballer of Jamaican and British descent renowned for his pace, who currently plays for Arsenal, having signed there from Southampton on 20 January 2006. ... The Carling Cup Trophy The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup, is an English football competition. ... Liverpool Football Club are an English professional football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside, who play in the Premier League; they are historically the most successful club in the history of English football, having won more trophies than any other English club. ...

In the 2007 Carling Cup Final in Cardiff, Diaby was involved in an accidental collision with John Terry. Diaby's foot impacted with the left side of Terry's jaw, with Terry feeling the full force of the strike and ending up unconscious on the pitch for several minutes. The Chelsea captain was hospitalised but was released from hospital later that afternoon with no apparent long term injury. The 2007 Football League Cup Final, also known as the Carling Cup Final[1] was played on Sunday February 25, 2007 at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. ... This article is about the capital city of Wales. ... For other persons named John Terry, see John Terry (disambiguation). ...

He has made a rather bright start in the 2007–08 season. Arsène Wenger often played him in the left flank to improve his vision and decision making which he sometimes lacked playing at midfield. He made an early impact in the game against Derby County, playing in the place of the injured Tomáš Rosický and scoring with a 25-yard strike. Arsène Wenger OBE[2] (born October 22, 1949 in Strasbourg) is a French football manager, in charge of Arsenal Football Club since 1997. ... Current season Derby County Football Club are an English football club based in Derby. ... Tomáš Rosický (pronounced (Tom-aash Ro-sits-ski); born October 4, 1980 in Prague) is a Czech international football player, who currently plays his club football for the English Premier League side Arsenal. ...

On December 12, 2007 he scored his first ever goal in the UEFA Champions League against Steaua Bucharest, opening the scoring for Arsenal in their 2–1 win. On March 29, 2008, Diaby received his first red card for Arsenal against Bolton F.C., after a late tackle on Gretar Rafn Steinsson. is the 346th day of the year (347th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... UEFA Champions League, which replaced the European Champions Cup, is a seasonal club football competition organised by UEFA since 1992 for the most successful football clubs in Europe. ... Categories: Romanian football clubs | Stub | Bucharest ... is the 88th day of the year (89th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ...

He scored his second Champions League goal for Arsenal on April 8, 2008, opening the scoring and giving Arsenal the advantage over Liverpool F.C. at Anfield. He then suffered an injury after the suspension. is the 98th day of the year (99th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... Liverpool Football Club are an English professional football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside, who play in the Premier League; they are historically the most successful club in the history of English football, having won more trophies than any other English club. ... This article is about the football stadium. ...

International career

Diaby taking a throw-in against Fulham during the 2006-07 season

Diaby has been capped 14 times for the France U-19 side, captaining the team in their successful U-19 European Championship campaign in 2005. In February 2006, he made his début with the France U-21 squad. Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Current season For details on the current season, see Fulham F.C. season 2007-08 Fulham Football Club are an English football team based in Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. ... A cap is an appearance for a select team, such as a school, county or international team in sports. ... The 2005 European Under-19 Football Championship was held in Northern Ireland between 18 and 29 July 2005. ... First International U23: France 0-0 Norway Alès, November 11, 1970 U21: France 1-1 Belgium Amiens, September 3, 1976 Biggest win France 7-0 Yugoslavia Reims, November 16, 1985 Biggest defeat England 6-1 France Sheffield, February 28, 1984 Records for competitive matches only. ...

Diaby missed the 2006 UEFA Champions League Final against FC Barcelona, as well as the UEFA U-21 Championship 2006, in which he was expected to take part with France, due to a broken and dislocated ankle. UEFA Champions League, which replaced the European Champions Cup, is a seasonal club football competition organised by UEFA since 1992 for the most successful football clubs in Europe. ... Futbol Club Barcelona (Spanish IPA: , Catalan IPA: ), known familiarly as Barça (Spanish IPA: , Catalan IPA: ), is a sports club based in Barcelona, Spain. ... The official logo The UEFA U-21 Championship 2006 began in August 2004. ...

On March 15, 2007, he was called up to the French senior squad for their two forthcoming fixtures, making his début for France on March 24 when he came on for Florent Malouda in a Euro 2008 qualifier against Lithuania. He then gained a starting place in the following match, against Austria, playing 57 minutes, ending in a 1–0 victory for France. is the 74th day of the year (75th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 83rd day of the year (84th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Florent Malouda (born June 13, 1980 in Cayenne, French Guiana) is a French professional football player. ... This page describes the qualifying procedure for the UEFA Euro 2008. ...

Honours

Arsenal

• Winner
  • Emirates Cup: 2007
  • Amsterdam Tournament: 2007

• Runner Up
  • League Cup: 2007

The Emirates Cup is a two-day pre-season football tournament, to be held on July 28 and July 29, 2007 at Emirates Stadium in London, England. ... The Amsterdam Tournament is an annual association football tournament played in the pre-season, hosted by AFC Ajax. ... The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup, is an English football competition. ...

Arsenal career statistics

(correct as of 11 April 2008)^[5]

The Union Européenne de Football Association or Union of European Football Associations in English, almost always referred to by the acronym UEFA (pronounced (you-AY-fuh) or (oo-Ay-fuh) or ), is the administrative and controlling body for European football. ... Association de la Jeunesse Auxerroise, or AJ Auxerre, is a French football team, founded in 1905, playing in the town of Auxerre in Burgundy. ... Arsenal Football Club (also known as Arsenal, The Arsenal or The Gunners) are an English professional football club based in Holloway, north London. ... The 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England. ... The new Wembley Stadium was completed in time for the 2006-07 seasons FA Cup Final. ... The 2007–08 season is the 128th season of competitive football in England. ...

France career statistics

(correct as of 25 January 2008)

First international Belgium 3 - 3 France (Brussels, Belgium; 1 May 1904) Biggest win France 10 - 0 Azerbaijan (Auxerre, France; 6 September 1995) Biggest defeat Denmark 17 - 1 France (London, England; 22 October 1908) World Cup Appearances 12 (First in 1930) Best result Winners, 1998 European Championship Appearances 6 (First in...

References

2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 118th day of the year (119th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 101st day of the year (102nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 101st day of the year (102nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 265th day of the year (266th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... This article is about the English FA Cup. ... The Carling Cup Trophy The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup, is an English football competition. ... For the rugby league competition, see Charity Shield (rugby league) The Football Association Community Shield (formerly the Charity Shield) is an English association football trophy contested in an annual match between the champions of the FA Premier League and the winners of the FA Cup. ...

External links

• Abou Diaby career stats at Soccerbase
• Arsenal.com - Abou Diaby signs for Arsenal
• BBC - Arsenal complete signing of Diaby
• (French) Abou Diaby French league stats at lfp.fr
• Profile at 4thegame.com
• Profile at arsenal.com
• Profile at premierleague.com

‹The template Lifetime is being considered for deletion.›  This article is about the capital of France. ...