Arsenal News 24/7Writer: Rocky7 
Date:Wednesday December 19 2007
Time: 12:12PM
UK time is: 13:36:10
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'If It's Football, It's Vital'
There IS Room For Diarra
Lassana Diarra, if reports are to be believed, wants out of Arsenal, claiming Arsene Wenger doesn't need him.
Diarra has the need to play football, who can blame him, and despite claiming that things were 'ok' at Arsenal, the Frenchman does have prior when it comes to wanting out.
If Lassana feels like he isn't needed, then I think it's time to make him feel needed. 99% of his performances for Arsenal have been of an extremely high standard, despite not having a susstained run in the team.
The Arsenal has an embarrassment of riches in midfield, the first choice pairing of Flamini & Fabregas, the leggy Diaby, the brilliant Denilson, and the invisible (I removed the 'wall' part) Gilberto.
I feel it's inevitable that Gilberto will leave either in the new year or the summer (and it's not something I'd begrudge him either), Diaby seems to be consistently getting shoved out on the wing these days, and if I'm being honest, he starting to look pretty good out there too. That leaves three players for two positions. Plenty of opportunities.
There will always be injuries, and there will definitely be suspensions (especially if Cesc doesn't calm down & Denilson doesn't learn to tackle), the seasons are long, tough and strength in depth is needed, there is definitely place for this quality player.
I really hope that Lassana can find the patience within himself to wait it out, because he can be a world class player for The Gunners, and if he can reproduce the kind of the performance he did against Blackburn on a regular basis, he'll be first choice in no time.
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Your Comments
We can't yet be certain that Flamini will sign a new contract and it is his role - in front of Gilberto that Diarra would satisfy. If he's intelligent enough he will at least wait until that issue has been resolved. Even if Flamini stays, which on present form we would all, I am sure, hope is the case, then Diarra would still get a fair number of games sharing the position. Gilberto is no real long term threat even if he sees his contract out until the end of next season. Denilson is ultimately back up to Cesc and Diaby and Eboue to Rosicky & Hleb so Diarra doesn't really have that much in front of him.
Amos.
i have watched Diarra in recent weeks, he works hard and has an excellent pass. i would definately give him a chance. i think himself and Cecc would make an excellent partnership. am hoping we dont lose him.
Unwell
It's true Amos, and I really want him to stay. His style fits in perfectly with the Arse!! He's definately of the swashbuckling mould!!
Rocky7
I would like to see flam and diarra genuinely sharing the position. literally taking it in turns to play for the first team and not always giving the best games to Flam. I cant choose between them. they are both fantastic players. however, usually in these situations, something gives. perhaps the form of one of them will dip and never return. we cant throw one of them away - both must stay.
gazzap
diarra is a better player than flamini
EBOUE4LIFE
Love to see the way you back up your argument there E4L
AFC85Lew
he is flamini is playing out of his skin this season but long term diarra will be more useful he is a better passer ,faster shame don't people see how overated flamini actually is.
EBOUE4LIFE
I actually agree with E4L. If we had both players playing red hot, full tilt, firing on all cylinders, I think Diarra would emerge as the better player. That's not to take anything away from Flamini though who has been awesome this season!!
Rocky7
I would be very upset if Flam does not extend his stay here - he is a wonderful example for players who at times find themselves on the fringes of teams and think about quitting and asking for a transfer. As far as Lassana - he is a bloody good player, but if all what is reported is true (namely the L'Equipe interview), he has chosen the wrong way out - and the wrong way in the Arsenal starting 11. As I mentioned in one of my posts in the forum - I understand his desire to play fully. However, what I do not understand is why many players like him, who come to a new club, do not realise the necessity of integrating themselves into the unit and becoming part of the 'family'. By acting like this they become nothing but footballing mercenaries who wander from club to club in search for a better contract or more playing time. In my eyes, it robs them of sense in their footballing careers.
G4L
Lets not compare these two. We are rating Diara better than someone who puts in simillar performances week in week out (CONSITENTLY). This is the second 11 and Wenger knows why.I bet 100 they will have icepacks on there legs for two days after yesterdays perfromance. They are very good, no doubt but I still think the first 11 is perfect as it is. I am more comfortable seeing Flamini, Ade and Kolo facing the big guns than Diara, Bendtner and Song any day.
Readgunner
Didn't Flamini express the same concerns last season though G4L?? We fully expected le Boss to 'out' him at the earliest opportunity after his complaints about not being a regular and it seems to have earned him a first team spot. I'm not saying that it's the correct way to get your point across by any means, but it certainly didn't do the Flamster any harm.
hatespur
Lassana Diarra is a excellent player in my opinioun and think there is definatly room isn the arsenal side for him and he reminds me of anderson for united .!
Jakk-United-2007
hatespur, there is a difference between Lassana's complaints and Flam's (and Diaby's). To be concerned is completely fine, but to claim that he is not appreciated, valued, or that promises (to play in 'important' games (?!)) are not kept is something else. What the boss did with Flamini is what the boss does with every player - he gives them a fair chance. And Flamini, with some rather fortuitous chain of events (Gilberto copa america, Diaby injury, etc.) imposed himself with some marvelous displays. Diarra has been here less then 6 months and is displaying (according to his comments not performances) a typical 'Bentley' attitude: "play me or I am off". That is the difference.
G4L
Though I agree with the assessment that Diarra is a fine fine player, I actually had preferred Gilberto to start ahead of him (before the game started). I dont want players to start thinking - lets moan in the press, and we will get our chances. I'm sure Wenger would have started Diarra against Blackburn even if he had said nothing. However, I am still disappointed with Diarra's comments which were immature at best, talking about promises??!! He still needs to do a lot more to convince me - like shut up to the press for a long time, and put in the same excellent performances whenever called upon, even if its in the 'lesser' games. That one performance against Blackburn doesnt cancel out the stupidity of his comments.
prits
We'll see G4L, i'm not one to believe everything i read tbh. From all accounts Bendtner made similar claims in newspapers and whenever i have heard him speak he appears a rather humble and intelligent young man. It'll all come out in the wash that's for sure.
hatespur
as I said hatespur, it was in the L'Equipe online page, and I checked it personally. Unless they are making up stuff (for which if so they should be sued) I find his comments quite stupid and rushed. I am a great fan of him as a player (Bendtner as well) but I just like when players talk their issues with the club rather then the press. It ultimately damages team spirit (take Jens the tit for an example) and alienation from the fans.
G4L
Diarra is not a good passer of the ball, where does this myth come from? He does not pass in the Arsenal way at all. He will constantly beat a man or two and then instead of passing sideways or short, as Flamini knows is his job, he looks for a dforward pass that is well beyond his ability and loses the ball. This is why we were ***** at Newcastle and Boro, I dont know how people cant see that. He may turn out to be the better player of the two in the long run but at the moment, on current form and consistency, there is no comparison. Flamini is hands down the better player.
Ozi Gooner
"Jens the tit" LOLOLOLOLOLOL!!! That's squirting coffee out of my nose comedey right there!!
Rocky7
As with Bendtner, all Diarra has to do is keep putting in the perfoamces and the chances will come along. Right now Cesc and Flamini are undroppable, but Diarra has a strong case to be first in line if one of those two have to miss games. The fact is, the competiton is bringing out the best in everyone. We just need to sit back and enjoy it.
Little Dutch
Ultimately, being a sportsman is all about comeptition, they should relish it. If someone does not believe they will get their chance, that is down to a lack of belief in their own ability, in which case they are not Arsenal material. If they are simply not good enough and are realeased then likewise. Arsenal are in a win win situation and if any of our midfielders do leave soon, then we will ultimately be left with the best of the bunch.
Little Dutch
Have to agree with Ozi here, you cant say Diarra is a better passer than Flamini, he is better at getting past players but does not know when to stop and therefore constantly loses the ball. Also Flamini seems to have a positive effect on the team morale because of his hard work attitude which rubs off on the other players and makes them work harder.
AB_Arsenal
Stats so far this season bear out Ozi's argument that Flamini is a better passer of the ball. His success rate and the number of passes he has been making in some games is really impressive. That maybe because Flamini plays it simpler but maybe that is also what's needed. As yet Diarra hasn't reached the heights that Flamini has managed.
Amos.
"whenever i have heard Bendtner speak he appears a rather humble and intelligent young man" - LOL hatespur, I dont know who you ahve been listening to, but humble is not a word I would use to describe Bendtner. The lad is supremely confident in his abilities, he knows he is good and is not afraid to share it with the world. I like that about him, immense self-belief.
prits
now, where's the new contract for Flamini?
G4L
Whenever I have read qoutes from him prits i'd agree with you. In the few times i have heard him speak he comes across totally differently.
hatespur
its tough. i dont want any of them to leave. i say rotate matuso and lassy D a bit for now. keep them fresh and on their toes. It is with great shame that I say that Gilby must go soon. I love having him at our club. what a proffessional, what a person, what a player, cant speak highly enough of him, but its the right time now.
ArsenalRob
Thank you Amos, for once one of my opinions has been statistically proven. I'm to lazy to look for such info my self. Cheers.
Ozi Gooner
I agree with Ozi Gooner, Amos and AB_Arsenal; though I like Diarra's ability to go past (or through) players i think he abuses that part of his game - opting to dribble almost every time he gets the ball. This often results in us losing posession and at times conceeding. Flamini is a better all round player in terms of what you get when he's on the field, not only his footballing abilities, his work ethic and his teamwork he also has the intangible qualities you find in winners. Flamini comes up big when the cards are down, he is a winner and he belongs in the 1st eleven.
mogzw
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