Friday, 25th April, 2014
Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna is of the opinion that his team-mate and compatriot Abou Diaby is one of the world's best footballers when fully fit.
The defensive midfielder, who has been out of action since last March with an anterior cruciate ligament, recently played a half in Arsenal Under-21s' game against their Chelsea counterparts.
With the Gunners looking to cement fourth place in the Premier League and win the FA Cup at the crucial junction of the season, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will surely be pleased to have the 27-year-old back under consideration for first team duty.
And Sagna, who feels a fully fit Diaby plays like Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira, believes that the French international “deserves to have a great career.”
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"He's still young, that's what is amazing because he had so many setbacks and bad news in his life but he's still fighting, he's still smiling and that's what I admire about him", Sagna told Arsenal Player.
"He always wants to give the maximum, he always stays positive and I think that's why he's back today.
"To me he is one of the best in the world [when he is fit]. When he's at his best he can play as well as Patrick Vieira did and as good as many players did. He can be useful for the team and he can be decisive.
"To be honest I was shocked the day he got injured [at Swansea last season] because to me he deserves to have a great career. He's a great player with great skill and ability but he got injured a lot.
"That's life and I think he is strong enough to come back to his best and work hard, that's what he's done until now and I'm glad to see him back.
“He played with the reserves and he is training with us so I'm looking forward to him playing with us."
Diaby joined Arsenal from Auxerre in 2006 and has thus far made 178 appearances in all competitions for the club, netting 19 times.
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