Twitter Reacts to Abou Diaby's Release from Arsenal

Sylvain Distin, Glen Johnson, Micah Richards and Jonas Gutierrez are among the players who have fallen victim to the latest set of Premier League clubs' released lists. The departing player who has earned the biggest response on Twitter, however, is Abou Diaby, whom Arsenal let go after more than nine years and 40 injuries with the club, per the Telegraph. 

Of course, the main headline from the Frenchman's tenure in north London was his incredible bad luck with injuries: 

Arsenal set him free like a cartoon genie even though Diaby was just a few months away from a testimonial:

Arsenal fans have looked back on Diaby's career with great fondness—not necessarily because of his regular contributions but because of the infamous incident with John Terry at the 2007 League Cup final:

"

Would #AFC fans say this was Abou Diaby's greatest contribution to the Gunners' cause? #CFC http://t.co/bJrkER2KZU pic.twitter.com/GjITfKDUN1

— BeanBagSports (@BeanBagSports) June 10, 2015"

"

Diaby clobbering John terry was worth the wages alone! 

— Becky (@Lucybug76) June 10, 2015"

Naturally, the majority of the Twitter banter surrounding Diaby's release concerned his inability to actually play for the team: 

"

Hospital legend Diaby, will be missed a lot by Wilshere pic.twitter.com/2wKdmpY4lo

— Troll Football (@Troll__Football) June 10, 2015"

"

Rumors that they're going to combine Diaby Wilshere and Debuchy's few working parts to create one whole footballer

— Tosí (@OzilAssist) June 9, 2015"

Diaby was one of many players Arsene Wenger described as "like a new signing" when he returned from injury, and the overuse of this phrase was suitably mocked: 

Very few Arsenal fans had a bad word to say about Diaby, whose exit appeared to trigger an outpouring of grief from the Emirates faithful:

"

just heard the Diaby news, feel like my soul has been torn into a million pieces

— Milo (@themilonesbitt) June 10, 2015"

There was also much speculation that the 29-year-old would go on and prosper elsewhere: 

"

Diaby will join some Italian club and will become better than Vieira now.

— Tom Gördon (@GoonerGordo) June 10, 2015"

"

If someone get Abou Diaby to remain fit, they've got some player on their hands. #FreeTransfers

— Alan (@hotspur423) June 10, 2015"

It is a sad day for Arsenal fans and those who wished Diaby would overcome his injury issues in a red and white shirt, but the French midfielder's legacy will live on in Gunners folklore: