Arsenal look set to lose their longest serving player, as injury-prone Abou Diaby was omitted from the clubs retained list yesterday, whilst his contract is due to expire at the end of the month.
Reports suggest a pay-as-you-play deal could be on the cards- but it seems rather pointless for Arsenal to do so, as Diaby made just one senior appearance last term and has picked up over 40 injuries during his time at North London.
One of only two players currently in the squad to have scored at Highbury and the Emirates Stadium, the other being Mathieu Flamini, it means that Arsenal are coming to the end of an era as the approach a decade in their 60,000 seater stadium.
Twitter was awash with memories, support, jokes and much more in the wake of the Diaby news- and we’ve got a selection of the best here.
Diaby will always be remembered for this beautiful moment pic.twitter.com/S7boISqQ72
— Nic (@nicolaskues_) June 10, 2015
The list of Abou Diaby’s injuries during his time at Arsenal (via: talkSPORT). pic.twitter.com/6u7ojy4o9D
— Football__Tweet (@Football__Tweet) June 10, 2015
It’s a sad, sad day. Abou Diaby, one of the great players that never was, released by Arsenal. Such a shame.
— Massimo Marioni (@MassMarioni) June 10, 2015
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
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 Kondogbia Pogba will be unreal #euro2016
— TheDigitalArmoury (@TheGunnersWay) June 9, 2015
Apparently Arsenal offered Diaby a new contract but he dropped the pen on his foot and was ruled out for 14 months.
— Gunnervision (@Gunner_vision) June 10, 2015
Let’s be honest. Diaby was a pointless waste of time at Arsenal except for one performance against Liverpool.
— TikaTakaWilsh (@TikaTakaWilsh) June 10, 2015