Patrick Vieira reveals one Arsenal player who had more 'quality' than him
The Frenchman believes the former Arsenal midfielder possessed all the qualities to have a better career than himself.
Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira has revealed which player he believes could have had a better career than him.
In a candid discussion with Sky Sports, Vieira praised Diaby's technical prowess and offensive capabilities, lamenting the injuries that ultimately curtailed the Frenchman's progression.
"None of them," Vieira said when asked if any current players reminded him of himself. "I used to like Abou Diaby at Arsenal. I thought he was going to be an even better player because he was more complete, more technical, more offensive, with more quality in the last 30 yards. The injuries he had really stopped his progression. But Diaby was a good one."
For a player of Vieira's stature, who captained Arsenal to numerous triumphs including the iconic "Invincibles" season of 2003-04, such high praise is significant. Vieira's words underline just how highly he rated Diaby, a player whose career has been marked by what might have been.
Diaby joined Arsenal in January 2006, quickly drawing comparisons to Vieira for his tall, elegant style of play and his ability to dominate midfield. Fans and pundits alike saw him as the natural successor to Vieira, and his early performances seemed to justify the hype.
However, Diaby's career was beset by a series of debilitating injuries. A horrific ankle fracture just months after his arrival at Arsenal set the tone for a career plagued by long spells on the sidelines. Despite showing glimpses of his immense talent during brief periods of fitness, Diaby never managed to achieve the consistent run of form needed to fulfil his potential.
Vieira's comments reflect a common sentiment among Arsenal supporters who watched Diaby struggle valiantly to overcome his injury woes.
"The injuries he had really stopped his progression,” he said.