One of football’s greatest ‘what ifs’ for me will always be: what if Abou Diaby had never encountered Dan Smith?
Abou Diaby (R), a player for Arsenal in the English Premier League, is seen at a press conference in Hong Kong on July 28, 2012.
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It’s crucial to recognize that it was the reckless tackle from Sunderland’s Dan Smith, just four months after Diaby made his move to London in 2006, that derailed his career—a moment that changed everything.
Michael Essien also played a role in this unfortunate story.
Though Diaby was often labeled as ‘injury prone,’ all of his challenges began from that unnecessary tackle when he was still a teenager with immense potential.
“It was time; it had been coming,” Diaby told RMC in a 2019 interview as he announced his retirement.
“For several years now, I’ve found it difficult to come back. I have worked with multiple fitness coaches, and at some point, I had to confront the harsh reality.”
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“I chose to retire because my body could no longer keep up with my aspirations.”
“It is undoubtedly tough; I’ve dedicated my life to football. Stopping feels like closing one door, but another opens.”
“I took time to reflect on this decision, and it is one I’ve arrived at with clarity.”
Diaby was always one of my favorites, and the more injuries seemed to plague him, the more my admiration grew.
I eagerly supported the club in extending his contracts, recognizing that he was just a young talent when he faced such a life-altering setback, with the potential to become one of the top midfielders globally.
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In 2017, Diaby expressed gratitude towards Wenger for his unwavering support throughout his career.
“He knows how to understand his players personally, helping them succeed. This creates a positive atmosphere for the team,” Diaby shared with SFR Sport.
“What mattered most was his belief in me. He truly understood and was patient with me throughout my struggles.”
“Though things started well, injuries soon cropped up. Yet, he was always supportive. I can’t express enough gratitude for what he did for me.”
After finally leaving Arsenal, Diaby joined Marseille but appeared in only five matches across two seasons there before being released again.
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He spent time searching for a new club but was unable to secure one.
It’s been two decades since Diaby made his debut for Arsenal in a 1-0 loss to Everton.
Diaby signed with Arsenal on January 16, 2006, from Auxerre for a reported fee of £2m.
During his two years with Auxerre, he made just 14 senior appearances across all competitions, often training with the first team and playing for the reserves.
In his initial stint at Arsenal, he made 12 appearances in the Premier League and two in the Champions League, contributing one goal and an assist.
He showcased immense talent with a graceful, gliding style of play that allowed him to maneuver past opponents effortlessly.
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However, tragedy struck on May 1 when a horrific tackle from Dan Smith resulted in a shattered ankle for Diaby. Smith received just a yellow card for his shocking foul on a player he could not handle.
In contrast, Diaby was sentenced to a lifetime of pain and frustration.
Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images
Following three surgeries and eight months of rehabilitation, Diaby made a comeback in a League Cup match against Liverpool. He played just 16 minutes, but Arsenal celebrated a 6-3 victory.
He scored his first goal for Arsenal on September 22, 2007, in a 5-0 triumph over Derby.
In February 2008, Diaby suffered a thigh strain that sidelined him for eight games—a precursor to a long struggle with injuries that would eventually lead to his release.
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In August 2008, he missed five days due to a groin strain and then re-strained his thigh, forcing him out for an additional 13 games. The ankle fracture had caused his body to become imbalanced, resulting in further injuries.
During his time at Arsenal, Diaby faced injuries 18 times, with the longest absence lasting 391 days due to a cruciate ligament rupture.
Arsenal’s French midfielder Abou Diaby (C) competing with Leyton Orient’s Stephen Dawson (L) during their FA Cup fifth round match.
Frustratingly, when he was fit, he was a joy to watch and a personal favorite of many at Daily Cannon.
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Despite his long limbs, he played the game with remarkable ease and fluidity—a quintessential Wenger player, which likely explains why the manager had so much patience with him.
Hope remained. In total, Abou Diaby made 179 appearances (including 44 as a substitute) throughout his nine years at Arsenal.
He scored 19 goals and provided 16 assists.
At 32 years old, 13 years after joining Arsenal, Abou Diaby finally decided to retire from football.