Thursday, January 17, 2008

Congratulations Lassana Diarra: you are an idiot.

It's hard to know what to make of this whole Diarra business in some ways. Maybe he has a point after all; maybe, regardless of the form of other players, Diarra should have swanned into the first XI. After all, promises were made to him when he signed for the club. I wonder what other promises were made? Free happy-meals after every game? As much time on his xbox as he likes? Bi-weekly trips to Euro Disney? Because I'm pretty sure Arsene would not make the promise to any signing that, regardless of how other players are doing, a new signing will get unlimited first team playing time. I should imagine that Arsene said he'd give him a fair chance, which he has.

So, really, the conclusion one has to draw is that Diarra is an idiot. Not willing to stay and prove himself at Chelsea, he's waited precisely three months to declare that we are not worthy of him. His imperator-esque abilities demand playing time, and he will not be fobbed off. (at least in his own mind.)

His avowed reason is that he's worried about his place in the French squad for the European championships; but given he's been in the French squad for some time now, even with limited playing time at us and Chelsea, it seems unlikely that Domenech is suddenly going to decide to drop him, is it? And even if he was not to make the squad for the next championships, he's only 22: he has ten years of international playing days in front of him. Surely it's better to establish himself at a top-four club first before looking to the international team?

And this is the crux of the matter. If he had stayed at Arsenal, he would have, in all likelihood, been first choice by the beginning of next season. Gilberto looks set to leave in the summer, Flamini is stalling over a contract, and Diaby and Denilson still look way off the pace. Even if Flamini does stay, Diarra could have given him a proper ride for the first team, if he'd been willing to stay and fight for his place.

But he isn't. And as Arseblogger has said, do we really want players who give up at the first sign of difficulty?

Moreover, in the interview with L'Equipe, Diarra is already talking about Pompey obviously not being the club he'll stay with for the rest of his career, and that he sees the team as a stepping stone to a bigger club. Again: what an idiot. Denigrate the club you've literally just signed for; a team which actually has quite a few central midfield options in Mendes, Diop, Utaka, Davis etc. Who's to say he won't soon be whining again for a move?

Arsene once said that the last stage in the development of a player was 'mental'. A player had to put the right 'mental roof' on top of his physical abilities to become a complete player. It seems that Diarra's roof, if he ever had one, was blown off a long time ago. Either that, or he's the victim of unscrupulous agents. But even agents, as the Ashley Cole affair shows, have to have a pretty arrogant client to achieve transfers of this type.

So, despite the fact he had a few decent games for us, don't lose any sleep over this one. We've made £3.5m, Arsene will buy a new central midfielder, or promote youngsters as he sees fit, and we've got rid of an idiot. All the best Lassana.

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

Couldnt agree more, Diarra is a whining little moron who thinks he is far better than he actually is. To leave after so short a time is ludicrous and the reality is that Flamini is better than him, so he should have tried to up his game. Maybe on the positive side, all these protestations about stepping stones etc might put larger clubs off him because of his temperament. I was delighted when he signed but now I have to say I hope he gets whats coming to him in the football world and is forced to change his very poor attitude!

Venture Guy said...

I am unequivocally happy this guy is gone. It's obvious he doesn't have the mentality to be a top player and thinks way too highly of himself. His comments about Portsmouth being a place to go for a while sums it all up. Happy to make money off the cunt too.

Marvin Willson said...

Insanity!Diarra has not furthered his career. No possible premiership champions, No champions league and maybe no UEFA cup! Hes done more damage.

He should have used Flamini as an example of how to progress at Arsenal. Had he waited a few more seasons, under Arsene, his stock would have grown and he would have gotten his chance.

Watch Wenger now pluck some other rough diamond from underneath a footballing rock for small change and make him a star!

Oh Lassana, it So could have been you!

Idiot savant? Welcome to the Uefa teams asylum and you more than welcome!

Anonymous said...

Obviously Diarra is listening to the same advisors that "helped" Anelka with his career. You'll see on Diarra's 28th birthday he will be fighting for a place in Oxford United.

Anonymous said...

i agree with all comments made above. He has got talent and could have done well but he has now sold himself out by leaving behind a chance of club level silverware and European club football all for the possibilty of making the national team... at the tender age of 22... what a tool.
i would laugh if he now loses his national squad place to Flamini and sincerely hope Sagna pushes hinm out of the right back position as well... that will teach the impatient arrogent little twit

Anonymous said...

Great post. A very accurate assessment, but i still feel we have lost one of the best young defensive midfielders in europe at the moment. Obviously he was a better footballer than Flamini. Faster, stronger more agile and technically gifted than his compatriot, but Wenger obviously thought, and still thinks, that Flamini has more to offer the first team. Probably mentally aswell as his good organizational skills. But still Flamini is lacking and, if he was looking at the best option for his career in the long term, he probably is better off signing for a different team. This would be disasterous for arsenal of course. All in all we have lost a great talent but it is not the first time (Reyes and Anelka pop into mind)and will certainly not be the last. Great post!

Anonymous said...

I don't even like him....

Marvin Willson said...

And whats going on with that weird "alien" head shape of his??

Anonymous said...

I hope Flamini takes his spot in the French team. That would make me laugh.

Anonymous said...

Flamini for Les Bleus!!!!!
Diarra is brat who got given too much for his own good. Have a good career anelka style! The mighty fenerbahce and man city will be lurking soon!
What a complete idiot! Diaby will be happy and his chances that i hope to be great will have increased. Diaby and Flams will be at the euro singing la marseillaise while Diarra will be pimpin' it out in the south coast gay bars!
Good riddance brats do not play for arsenal!
Looking forward to hearing the abuse in shape of laughter of course given to him next time we play pompey!
Cheers

Anonymous said...

give us our No.8 shirt back. You dirty ...... Maybe walcott or bentdner could have it?

Anonymous said...

give us our No.8 shirt back. You dirty ...... Maybe walcott or bentdner could have it?

Anonymous said...

I just hope Flamini signs soon.

Anonymous said...

Anelka did get a champion's league medal for his troubles.

It's a tidy little profit that's been made, too, if the media figures are close to correct. 3.5 million pounds, for four months appreciation on an asset?!

Anonymous said...

The guy said he wasn't prepared to play right-back for Arsenal cos it may harm his international career - and where has he played for the French team in all their recent matches?? RIGHT-BACK... What a tool

Anonymous said...

I'm happy but also sad that he's left, when we nicked him from Chel$ki at the 11th hour, i thought it was another Wenger masterstroke, and our strength in the squad was massively increased.
Then watching him play the carling cup games at both right back and midfield, I was impressed with him, and could see a future of him and Cesc.

But, once again we have a player that has an unbelievable attitude, disrespectful to both his club and manager.

I can understand he was pissed of with the lack of playing time so far, but things can change really quickly in football, and he could have cemented his place with some stella performances when given his chance, but no, he moans and bitches about the manager lying to him, and that that he's desperate to move to get playing time, this is a really bad attitude, and not what is required when we such a young team playing and young players coming through the ranks, but sadly it's becoming a common trait with modern day footballers.

Pompey have got a good player, by selling Matty Taylor, he has only cost them 1-1.5 million, but how long will he stay with them if he starts playing well, he'll soon be pimping himself 'Anelka style' to the next club!

Oh well, £3 million profit isn't bad! ;)

Anonymous said...

He is very short sighted. Harry has said he will play, but thats only because for the next several weeks he doesnt have a midfield. Wait till muntari, diop, utaka come back and start pushing him for a place. True Diarra has looked the business with Chelsea and us, but that also has to do with the players around him. Pompey is not the same league and his size is going to way against him, so see how his Les blues ambitions get dented when he starts struggling with his team. Anyone who thinks they can walk into any team from the off obviously dont know football. Good riddence

Anonymous said...

Here here. The man is a fool. Whats more, I heard that he is/was a good pal of Diaby's and was unsettling him at Arsenal. I think Diarra could have been immense, theres no doubt hes talented, but with an attitude like that he wont get far. Centre mid is one position we are comfortable in, so Im happy hes gone

Anonymous said...

I never liked his head shape.

Anonymous said...

yeah, Flamini for les blues!! not because Flamini is more talented but because he is more patient and PLAYS FOR A BIG CLUB!!!

Anonymous said...

realy thought this boy had a lot of potential and was initially pissed off wqhen i heard all the transfer speculation, but thinking about it, if he was/is actually that good, why did Chelseas add Ballack,Obi Mikel and steve fucking sidwell to their squad AFTER they had signed Diarra. Furthermore, why hasn't Wenger picked him more than the 4 prem games that he has appeared in? the bloke obviously pisses off his management and/or teammates to such an extent that his apparent skill does not compensate for the disruption that he causes when on the pitch. i am never one to wish bad luck on anyone, but i think i would literally shit in my pants with laughter (a la a yiddo on the last day of the season) if Flamini nicks his place for France.

Anonymous said...

everyone seems to be missing the problem here.

Sagna has been amazing, I for one did not expect to see him start a game in August or September. He has displaced Eboue for the RB place and I think Wenger had though Diarra could have played there ahead of Sagna for a while.

Flamini and Sagna have both made the French squad recently but have not started. So what.

Also remember Diaby cant get into the 1st team squad for France and is playing with the U21 with Clichy.

Anonymous said...

Lasagna Diarrhea got talent no doubt. The problem, he thinks he is the next Makelele, maybe...but playing for Pompey will not further his career.

Anonymous said...

THE NAME RINGS A BELL......OHHHH YEA ITS THT STIKY BROWN STUFF THT CUMS OUT YER ASS WEN U R NOT WELL....SAY NO MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

thanks for lassana whos proving to all concerened he is a class act and doesnt desverve to be sat on any bench !! dont forget to wiper yer arse en all.

Anonymous said...

remind me again what Arsenal won last season?