Wednesday, 1st October, 2014
Abou Diaby is happy to adapt to Arsene Wenger's desires at Arsenal, even if that means transforming himself into a deep-lying defensive midfielder.
Wenger has been criticised for not having a suitable holding midfielder in his squad and recently raised the prospect of Diaby filling the role.
The Frenchman, who is still getting to grips with the game following an injury plagued year, is willing to meet Wenger's request and do his best to become a valuable holding midfielder for the side. He also revealed Wenger has discussed the possibility with him.
"[The boss and I] have spoken about it and it could be an option", he told the club's matchday programme.
"The boss told me he could see me playing in that position and that he thinks I have the ability to do it.
"I've never played there before, so it's something new for me but I think it could be an option for the team and for myself to add something to my game", Diaby continued.
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"I have an attacking mentality so to stay back and create the link between the defence and attack is something new. I would like to get used to it, to learn how to be effective in that role if I play there, and then we will see."
And the 28-year-old believes he will have to learn many new things if he slots back into a defensive midfield role.
"The way I see the game will be different, as will my position. I need to learn how to do that effectively", Diaby explained.
"First of all, when you play in this position you have to be effective defensively. I would need to track back, break up play and also avoid the opponent from playing through the lines.
"For me, those are the first things. At the same time, you are always involved, you take a lot of touches and you need to make sure that you play the right passes to find strikers and midfielders in good positions."
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