There was something ethereal about Abou Diaby. He moved with such grace, such elegance, almost as if floating through time and space.
At his best, he was glorious to watch, a footballer with a unique combination of both incredible athleticism and impeccable technique.
Unfortunately, Diaby in full flight was a rare sight. The Frenchman suffered a series of bad injuries throughout his Arsenal career, which ultimately led to his retirement in 2019 at the age of just 32.
Though he failed to fulfil the potential he showed in his late teens and early 20s, Diaby remains one of the Premier League’s most underappreciated players.
He was not simply an unsuccessful replacement for Patrick Vieira, as some suggested. The comparisons were understandable, but they were different players.
Diaby was delicate and poised, sometimes awkward and languid but always aesthetically pleasing with the ball at his feet.
He was capable of controlling games, dictating the tempo, going on a rangy run from midfield and creating or scoring a goal.
For Arsenal supporters, watching Diaby play was, for the most part, a joyous experience.
Then he got injured.
Abou Diaby takes a shot for Arsenal against Blackburn in an FA Cup tie at the Emirates Stadium, London. February 16, 2013.
The first and likely most significant of his injuries came in a game at Sunderland in the 2005-06 season. With Arsenal 3-0 up and cruising, Sunderland defender Dan Smith inexplicably threw himself into a challenge by the touchline, getting nowhere near the ball.
Diaby yelled in pain. The horrific tackle had broken his ankle. From that moment on, injuries were a defining feature of his career.
“It definitely had a big impact on my career,” Diaby said in 2019. “Before that happened, I didn’t know what these muscular injuries were. This injury created more injuries.
“At that time, I was only 19 or 20. You get injured and just think, ‘I will get my treatment and go back on the pitch.’
“When I came back on…
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