Why Arsenal Can't Rely on Abou Diaby as a Defensive Midfielder

Apparently Arsene Wenger intends to turn Abou Diaby into a defensive midfielder. Well, Arsenal fans shouldn’t get their hopes up. As much as all Gunners fans would love to see Diaby finally succeed, Wenger’s hopes seem fanciful at best.

Diaby launched his latest comeback during the Capital One Cup defeat against Southampton. In his younger years, the Frenchman was a fearsome attacking force. His physique and nationality earned comparisons with Patrick Vieira, but in reality Wenger tended to deploy him higher up the field than his predecessor. Diaby enjoyed spells as a left-winger and No. 10 before succumbing repeatedly to injury.

However, against the Saints, Diaby found himself in a far deeper starting position. With Jack Wilshere and Tomas Rosicky given license to push on ahead, he was asked to be the anchor at the base of the Arsenal midfield.

Wenger explained his decision in an interview with Sam Lee of Goal.com:

"

I tried to develop [Diaby] in a deeper role, I think he can do it. He can be very interesting because he has all the attributes to do it. 

I try to transform [his position] because I feel because he was injured for a long time and he has the physical potential to win the challenges, to face the game will be easier for him than to play with his back to goal with the injuries he had.

"

There is a certain logic to that thinking. For starters, Arsenal are short of athletic holding midfielders. Both Mathieu Flamini and Mikel Arteta appear to be on the wane, and neither was exactly a powerhouse in their heyday.

Diaby does have some of the requisite attributes to be a success in the role. He has good upper-body strength, and the technical ability required to jink away from markers in tight spaces. For a big man, Diaby is able to navigate through congested midfields with remarkable ease.

Alastair Grant/Associated Press

However, there is a fundamental flaw in Wenger’s plan: It seems crazy to place your most injury-prone player in the most combative area of the field. The middle third is a war zone where only the most robust players thrive. Diaby does not seem cut out for that kind of battle.

Nobody doubts his courage. In fighting back from a string of potentially career-ending injuries, he has shown tremendous mental strength. His problems are physical, and they are substantial.

Diaby is already 28. By the time he adapts fully to the role he will be pushing 30, the age where players conventionally begin to deteriorate. In a player plagued by injuries, that process could accelerate dramatically. It’s not a viable long-term option. 

Arsenal have shown great faith in Diaby to stand by him through his injury problems. However, it would be a leap too far to put their trust in him as the solution to their midfield problems. Given his troubled career, his availability has to be taken as a bonus, not a guarantee.

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and will be following the club from a London base throughout the 2014/15 season. Follow him on Twitter here.