There would have been some quarters of the Arsenal support who would have greeted news of Arsene Wenger to PSG not with trepidation, but with the hope of a new dawn for the club. And that doesn’t take anything away from what he’s done in the past or what he may do in the little time he has left with Arsenal. It’s a nod to the idea that maybe the time is right for something different.

You have to ask the question from the other side of the table, too. What if Wenger himself feels that he’s taken this club as far as he can; with the limitations in the transfer market and the consistency at losing his top players each summer, it becomes a frustrating cycle which can be hard to break. Should Arsenal fans begrudge Wenger if he decides PSG is the last realistic chance for glory before he moves away from the dugout for good? If anything, Wenger has earned the right to walk away when he pleases.

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What would a move to PSG mean for Wenger and his stance on big-spending clubs in Europe? I don’t think it will matter too much. This is a coach who has long had to hide the complications that exist behind closed doors at Arsenal, and much of that came through the belief that spending recklessly was wrong and Arsenal’s approach was right. It also played into Wenger’s hand nicely, that being his preference for developing talents, while also avoiding the bidding wars that were likely to spring up for the world’s most sought-after players. Going to PSG, however, will allow Wenger the freedom to move in the transfer market, still taking on his well-thought-out approach to new signings, but with far less restrictions.

What’s on the table now is the prospect of a big summer of spending, for both Arsenal and PSG, with Wenger unlikely to be in the Premier League beyond next summer. How does this work out for Arsenal? Maybe it’s best to cut ties now while the opportunity is there. Wenger talks about his commitment to contracts, and yet who could really hold that small detail against him should all parties agree that a change in direction is needed?

It’s not a campaign to push the manager out the door of the Emirates. It is, however, an acknowledgement that there is a world beyond what many Arsenal fans know. This is a topic for discussion that is absolutely certain to arise again next year should Wenger remain at Arsenal beyond this summer, and yet many may be more willing to accept the matter then rather than now. It’s about holding onto the safe and secure option. It’s the uncertainty that arises should Wenger look to accept PSG’s proposal for one last go at a league title. Who knows how far this Arsenal team are from challenging? Who really knows outside of the club whether this truly is a summer of increased and ambitious spending?

But it’s a question of blame and grudges being held. Many fans still believe Wenger to be the right man for Arsenal, one who most trust with overseeing the reshaping of the playing squad before he leaves. It doesn’t keep with Wenger’s principles to move on with the club so precariously placed. To elaborate, and to reiterate: who can really tell what this summer holds for the club?

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There will be very little blame attached should Wenger depart this summer. Most of it will come in the form of disappointment and the realisation that not everything was done to give Wenger a proper sending off. For whatever criticisms may be had over Wenger’s management – of which there are many – the real blame lies with the board and their decision to hide behind a man who most believe to be exempt from criticism.

Should Wenger leave, it may just be an admission that he’s had enough with the faults of this club that don’t necessarily lie at his door.

Carlton Cole V’s Wigan

“What a brilliant West Ham United goal”, shouted the commentator as Carlton Cole’s curling effort found the net. It was the perfect finish after a sublime team-effort and a goal that earned the Hammers’ a lot of plaudits that season, some even saying that it was their goal of the season. Then manager Zola certainly got his Claret and Blue men playing some liquid football under his tenure, and ‘that Wigan goal’ proved the Italians plans were working.

Carlton, who was playing the best football of his career under Zola, curled a right footed effort past the outstretched Wigan keeper after a neat exhange of passes that included most of the team. It was the kind of goal that would have had Barcelona fans raving, let alone the West Ham fans.

The strikers finish ended up being the difference that day as the Hammers’ left Wigan with all three points, despite being then sent off. It helped earn the club 9th in the Premier League that season, a good season for Zola and his men.

Carlton Cole V’s Manchester United

When Manchester United visited Upton Park in the cup a few Decembers ago, there wasn’t many Hammers’ expecting to get a result. But little did they know, they were in attendance for one of West Ham’s most memorable nights under the floodlights in the clubs history. The Hammers’ were bottom of the Premier League when Sir Alex Ferguson and his men arrived at the stadium, where as Manchester United were riding high, and were looking to keep their great league form continuing into the cup. Unfortunately for Alex Ferguson, this just wasn’t to be.

The snow was hitting the area hard, both before and during the game. But it wasn’t the snowy chill factor that left  the Manchester United gaffer red-faced, it was the manner of defeat that the Scotsman was dished out.

Two goals from the former Manchester United midfielder Jonathon Spector, had the Hammers’ pinching themselves, a third from Carlton Cole had them running their eyes, but the fourth goal confirmed what the fans were thinking. They were well and truly in a dream land.

The big forward took a pass into the box from Victor Obinna and decided to turn defender Jonny Evans inside-out before sliding a fourth pass the goalkeeper. Although Cole scored twice on the night, the fans will feel that the fourth was the Cole goal most worth remembering. Hammers’ fans are the first to admit that a game is never over until the whistle blows, but even they couldn’t see their side throwing a four-goal lead and it gave the fans the chance to enjoy their moment.

It saw West Ham United progress to the semi-finals, the only thing more surprising is the fact that this was all done under the reign of Avram Grant…

Carlton Cole V’s Blackpool

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For me, the last time we really got to see what Carlton Cole was all about, was towards the end of last season. By the time we’d reached the Play-Off final, Cole had scored five goals in seven games, and he wasn’t about to stop there. From the start of the game you could tell he was hungry, and only a slightly over hit pass from Nolan stopped the big man from being one-on-one with the Blackpool keeper.

However the big man deservedly found the net with just over thirty minutes on the clock. Neat play from Taylor, followed by a sublime diagonal ball saw Carlton act with pure striker instinct. As the former Chelsea man controlled the ball well before subtly knocking the ball past the sprawling Blackpool keeper, sending both Carlton and the fans into raptures.

Despite Blackpool finding an equaliser early in the second half, the script was already written, it was going to be West Ham’s day. With less than five minutes on the clock West Ham were on attack, Carlton Cole an influential part as always. Despite the keeper charging at the number 9 at a rate of knots, Cole still managed to slip the ball across the face of goal for Vaz Te to slot home.

Cole’s opening goal and bravery during the winner, not only gained the Hammers’ the win, but also a place back in the Premier League. Ensuring that Cole’s name would go down in West Ham history.

After failing to secure Champions League football, there has been a lot of speculation about Gareth Bale’s future.

Tottenham missed out on Champions League football by a point. With Arsenal winning away at Newcastle, it was the Gunners who pipped their north London rivals to the final Champions League place.

After winning the PFA young player of the year and players player of the year awards and the football writers association player of the year award, Bale is in high demand and wanted by some of the worlds biggest clubs. Bale is only the second player ever to win all three awards in the same season. The other, Cristiano Ronaldo.

But what should be Gareth Bale’s next move.

Everybody associated with Tottenham Hotspur wants Bale to stay. And why wouldn’t they. Bale has been in breathtaking form all season. He’s been an inspiration and has won games on his own. He’s been the standout player this year in the Premiership. If Spurs are going to break into the top four and progress as a team, they need to keep hold of Bale. Without his goals this season, Spurs wouldn’t have been competing for a Champions League place.

With Bale only signing a new contract last season, there have been talks of a new deal reportedly worth £150,000 a week. Signing a new deal would show that Bale has real intentions to stay. It’s also to be believed that there will be a release clause in his contract. An offer of 50million or more will activate his release clause, but his release clause can not be activated until the end of next season.

Tim Sherwood is ‘one million percent’ sure that Bale will stay at the club. Andre Villas Boas said that it is very, very hard to lure a player of his dimension away from the club. The indications are there that Bale will stay.

But a player of Bale’s ability, has to be playing against the best players in the world. To be considered as one of the best, he has to do it against the best. And the only place for that, is in the Champions League.

Real Madrid are huge admirers of Bale. They have the resources to mount a serious bid. Madrid’s director of football, the great Zinedine Zidane, has lavished praise on Bale. Zidane said that the best player in Europe this season was the Welshman. Zidane was impressed with Bale’s technical ability, his pace and ability to go through the gears in such a short space.

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Sergio Ramos has issued a plea for the Welshman to join him at the Bernabeu. Ramos told The Sun, “Gareth Bale is a Real Madrid-quality signing. He can punish any team in the world and has the footballing qualities we look for in Madrid.”

With a chance to prove himself in Spain and play amongst the worlds best, it must be tempting. Another alternative is Manchester United. United are looking to strengthen their squad and they need a player like Bale. United are lacking in quality when it comes to wingers and Bale is the perfect solution. To play for the best team in England and a chance top compete for the Champions League crown, a move to United could be more appealing.

In my opinion, Bale has to leave Spurs. He needs to be competing in the Champions League. He needs to be competing against the best players in the world regularly. He can stay with Spurs another season, but there is no guarantee that they will qualify for the Champions League and he will get nothing out of playing in the Europa League. A player of his ability has outgrown the Europa League. He’s had a great season, he’s in great form and he needs to be playing in the best competition in the world to be considered as one of the worlds best.

Saturday’s win at Fulham was a throwback to the far more enterprising style of football normally associated with Arsene Wenger’s teams. It wasn’t a backs-to-the-wall, defend at all costs kind of performance. Instead the football was slick, eye-catching and at times a joy to watch. Where last season may have been defined by Arsenal stacking the defensive barriers and clearing the danger in a most un-Arsenal fashion, Saturday’s performance saw the team play the ball out of defence in a manner that you’d normally see at the Camp Nou.

There’s reason for optimism but also a need to accept reality. Fulham are a team Arsenal should be beating, certainly on paper. The players are better, the resources richer; Fulham are the kind of team the Invincibles would have gone away to and had the game over and done with after twenty minutes. The great positive here is that there is a strong foundation in this current Arsenal side. Coaching will bring that to the fore, yes. But how close are this team to genuinely challenging and offering the other big teams in the league a real contest?

That’s the great frustration among supporters. Most know that a world-class striker will elevate the club into the category of title-contenders. Added quality in midfield will allow for ineffectual names of the past such as Gervinho or Andrey Arshavin to be looked past. How many points does a steady pair of hands in goal secure you over the course of a season?

Martin Jol was quite complimentary about Arsenal on the weekend. He, like most, praised Santi Cazorla’s showing on the day. There was an obvious nod to Olivier Giroud and the Frenchman’s improvement and importance to the team. But he also pointed out the dynamism of the midfield, in that there is no defined defensive midfielder; both an advantage for Arsenal – in a weird sort of way – and an aspect that can confuse the opposition.

Many supporters want to see Wenger address the midfield with a Patrick Vieira type, someone like Luiz Gustavo, who the club were recently linked with. But how many of the biggest teams in Europe actually use an out-and-out ‘destroyer’ in the middle of the pitch? Manchester United? Barcelona? Real Madrid? Juventus? Even Manchester City? Each of those teams have names in their squads who can fill the role of holding midfielder, but none actually do that, instead providing much more to transition phases and attacks than simply manning their post. The game is arguably moving away from the Claude Makeleles and Vieiras and towards hybrids.

That’s why there appears to be such little interest in Marouane Fellaini, for example. He’s a powerful figure in the middle of the pitch, but is he technically good enough to play for a team like Arsenal? In the case of Gustavo, does he provide enough of what Wenger is looking for? Therefore, the interest in Lars Bender and now Yohan Cabaye makes sense.

But the point, once again, is that those names, whoever they are, will add a lot more weight to Arsenal’s credentials as a title contender. Fans don’t want a race for fourth place, because you might as well just write off the season if that’s all you aim to accomplish. The frustration has been quite clear when Wenger says he’s happy with what he has and that fans shouldn’t forget the quality in the side. That’s true, but how much more can be done when numbers, and specifically quality in numbers are added?

It’s true that a week can offer a whole new perspective in football. At Fenerbahce and Fulham, Arsenal showed a level of competence and ingenuity that was completely absent in the home opener against Aston Villa. It’s evidence that it can be done, and that the roots of Arsenal’s style of football are still firmly planted in ground. Adding three or four more who fit the technical requirements for this style will see Arsenal further up the league table than battling for fourth.

There is a feverish desire for signings. But a large theme of it is that the fans don’t want complacency from the club.

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Are Arsenal only a few numbers light from challenging for silverware?

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Two goals in extra-time against Newcastle United secured Manchester City’s place in the last eight of the Capital One Cup.

In a game short of action, Manuel Pellegrini’s men soaked up increased pressure from the hosts in the first-half to eventually see them leave with victory after goals from Alvaro Negredo and Edin Dzeko.

Pellegrini made 10 changes to the side that lost to Chelsea in the Premier League last weekend and that showed early on as Newcastle enjoyed the better of possession and looked the more likely to open the scoring.

But Costel Pantilimon, standing in for Joe Hart, made a number of crucial saves to ensure the hosts were not out of sight by the interval.

Papiss Cisse wasted two good chances before Shola Ameobi had a goal ruled out for offside after he tapped in Cisse’s miscued shot across goal. City, on the other hand, lost Stevan Jovetic in the opening stages to a calf injury and Alvaro Negredo was introduced in his place, but they still lacked any real threat in front of goal without the rested Sergio Aguero.

Micah Richards headed over early in the second-half and James Milner missed a sitter after Tim Krul found himself at sixes and sevens with a through ball.

Spanish midfielder David Silva came on mid-way through the second half and immediately gave City the cutting edge they so desperately needed, but Negredo spurned two good chances as the game headed towards extra-time.

The first-half of extra-time saw much of the same from both sides, with Cisse wasting another golden chance to give the hosts the lead as Pantilimon saved expertly after Hatem Ben Arfa’s superb ball.

City eventually found the breakthrough in the 99th minute, though, after Negredo showed why City splashed out £22million on him. Dzeko worked his way down the left of the Newcastle penalty area before squaring goalwards to Negredo, whose movement to lose defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa was impressive, and he slotted past Krul with ease.

And City doubled their lead just six minutes later, putting the game out of sight for Newcastle. Milner and Silva’s impressive link-up play led to Dzeko easily rounding Krul to slide home.

The defeat will have been a hard one to take for Magpies boss Pardew who will have been impressed by the way his side reacted to their loss to arch-rivals Sunderland at the weekend. His major worry will be the lack of goals coming from his strikers, particularly after the likes of Cisse spurned several chances throughout the game.

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Meanwhile, Pellegrini was delighted with his side’s patience to win the game and insists City deserved to go through despite having to rely on Pantilimon to keep them in the match on various occasions.

City will now travel to the King Power Stadium to face Leicester City in Round 5.

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It may seem like a trivial point at this time, with Mesut Ozil on the receiving end of flak and criticism following his most recent display against Bayern Munich. But Arsenal and Arsene Wenger also have to deal with a smaller issue in Jack Wilshere and where he fits into this team short term.

Like Ozil, though not to the same feverish degree, Wilshere took on a lot of stick for his performance at Anfield in Arsenal’s 5-1 loss. It was a passionate display that compensated for his wastefulness in possession and otherwise poor footballing performance. It mimicked what he produced away at Manchester City in Arsenal’s 6-3 loss, once again being guilty of giving away possession far too cheaply and not having the influence on a game that fans know he’s capable of.

With the myriad options Wenger has at his disposal, it is a fight for Wilshere to get a game further up the pitch in the No.10 role. Either Ozil will occupy that position or one of Santi Cazorla or Tomas Rosicky. Wilshere has also been used on the flank briefly this season, yet like Aaron Ramsey, it’s not his natural environment, and offering him a central role will be beneficial to him and those around him.

But the problem and worry is that he hasn’t really kicked on from the season in which he made such strides at Arsenal. Wenger was accused of running Wilshere into the ground during the 2010-11 season, but you can understand the temptation to continue to play a youngster who was at the time showing such promise.

During that run, Wilshere was paired with Alex Song, while Cesc Fabregas drifted a little further up field. Nevertheless, it was, for arguments sake, a three-man central midfield, each most comfortable in that deep-lying role. Importantly for Wilshere, he had two players with experience who could shield him and guide him through the rigours of ties against opponents such as Barcelona, who he was magnificent against.

It would be odd, then, that players with the experience of Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini are unable to bring equal performances out of him. It’s even more curious that someone like Ozil ahead of him hasn’t furthered Wilshere’s contribution to Arsenal this season. It’s not to say Wilshere has been terrible throughout; there have been very good performances this season, and fans are more than happy to see a player who is unquestionably one of their own show some fight and passion during a campaign such as this.

However, the good performances have been fleeting. They’ve been one of three likely contributions: good, average or downright awful.

It should also be mentioned that Wilshere has played extremely well alongside Steven Gerrard for England, perhaps another indicator of a player who is there for the youngster to lean on.

Like Ramsey, there is the issue of injuries and that Wilshere was out for over a year following his breakthrough season with the club. And at 22, there is a long way to go before the glass of hope is drained completely.

For this season in particular, Wenger needs to find a way to bring subtlety and simplicity back to Wilshere’s game. When Fabregas was in the team, he became the reference point for Wilshere, the player who he would look to for the simple, possession-first passes. Now, he’s trying to do too much himself, taking on three or four players only to be dispossessed without much effort.

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Ramsey kick started his career by going back to basics. There’s an outstanding footballer in Wilshere; we’ve seen evidence of it. But micro-managing his immediate future in the way Wenger did with Ramsey will get him on the right path. For now, he looks as if he’s not entirely sure what he’s supposed to be doing.

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Christian Eriksen single handedly pulled Tottenham out of the mire in their 3-2 win against Southampton. The talented Dane has always been tipped to do great things at White Hart Lane but is now really demonstrating why he is a class act.

The 22 year old has always been earmarked for his play making talents but he is now adding goals to his game highlighting why he is more than capable of becoming Spurs’s most important player, taking over Bale’s crown as Tottenham’s king.

The former Ajax starlet initially struggled to make an impact but now his consistency and effortless flair are earning him the plaudits Eredivisie fans always except the Denmark international to receive in the Premier League.

In the summer Tottenham’s board will plan a fresh recruitment drive and demand a top four push next season and possibly even a title charge. Here is why they need to build any of their plans for the future around Eriksen.

1. Eriksen is capable of getting the very best out of Soldado 

2. Eriksen consistently is pushing himself to be the best Tottenham player and take the lead.

3. Christian Eriksen is a player that can galvanise the supporters into believing in the team.

Former Arsenal manager George Graham believes that a lack of a competitive edge at his former club is the reason for their recent slump.

The Gunners have failed to lift a trophy in the last nine years under Arsene Wenger and look to be in serious threat of losing their Champions League status – which has often been likened to silverware in the red half of north London – after a dismal weekend loss to rivals Everton.

The Toffees’ 3-0 victory was the latest in a long line of high-profile losses for Arsenal, with Liverpool and Chelsea having thrashed them 5-1 and 6-0 respectively over the course of the past few months to all but end their title hopes.

Graham – who managed the now Emirates Stadium-based outfit from 1986-1995 – says that a lack of fighting spirit in the dressing room has been the major factor in their slide:

“They are not competitive enough,” he told talkSPORT.

“At the beginning of big games there is usually tackles flying about, there’s intensity about the play, there is energy about the play. I don’t see any energy, any competitiveness from the first whistle, and they have got to sort it out quickly.

“They seem to be plodding. Arsenal have always been famous under Wenger for their lovely slick passing and their attacking football, but I just don’t see that nowadays. They are full of talented midfield players but, apart from [Aaron] Ramsey, nobody gets into the box.”

But Graham does think his old team can pull it together to finish in the top four and lift the FA Cup this season:

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“I honestly believe Arsenal will win the FA Cup and I still think they have a great chance of finishing fourth, if they get their act together.”

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After giving Manchester United fans hope last summer, the Red Devils have finally signed Athletic Bilbao’s Ander Herrera.The attacking midfielder has now become new manager Louis van Gaal’s first major signing, but apart from United’s previous long-term interest in the starlet, what can Man United fans look forward to when he steps onto Old Trafford next season?Here are the FIVE THINGS to get you excited about Manchester United signing Ander Herrera.

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1. He has represented Spain at U20,U21, and U23 level

Ander Herrera may be anonymous to many that don’t regularly follow football, but those that do will realize the youngster is a key component in the Spanish youth level set-up.

He played a pivotal role in Spain’s U21 Euro 2011 Championship win, scoring the first goal in their 2-0 final victory over Switzerland.

With titles already under his belt at a young age, the drive to become champions is there… and now more than ever the Red Devils require the competitive edge that was missing for so much of last season.

2. He creates chances

Under David Moyes Manchester United seemed unable to break down stubborn teams. If Wayne Rooney or Robin van Persie was marked out of the game, it very frequently ended in no goals. Herrera can change that.

As seen on this image provided by Squawka, compared to other United central midfielders, Herrera has made more key passes (per game) than any Red Devil, not to mention only falling three short (season total) of talisman Rooney in the chance creation department.

If United are to score goals with intricate passing, expect many of the moves to start (or even end) with Herrera.

3. He’s an amazing tackler

It would seem odd that a midfielder known for his passing and attacking threat is also an amazing tackler. But that is what Herrera is.

Compared to any of United’s current midfield crop, the young Spaniard has almost twice as many tackles to their best in the middle of the park (Michael Carrick).

This confirms that Herrera is an all round midfielder, one the type that Manchester United have been waiting to become Paul Scholes’ replacement.

4. He’s not scared to take on the dribble

A sign of confidence in a player is his ability to challenge a defender while dribbling. Herrera may be an intricate tiki-taka passer, but the starlet can drift past his marker to create space for his team-mates.

We know Michael Carrick is one if not the best passer in the United squad. But the Englishman does not provide penetration, but with Herrera playing in front or next to the former Spurs man, it gives a whole new dimension to the Red Devils’ midfield.

//www.youtube.com/embed/njC4AkQ5zAk

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5. He can score goals

In football the most important part of the game is goals. And Herrera can find the back of the net.

Manchester United already have two of the most feared strikers in the league, but one reason for their underwhelming campaign last season was their midfield’s inability to chip in with a few goals.

Not only does it ease the pressure of the strikers, but it causes defending opponents the necessity to close down players with shooting ability… thus again creating space.

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Following his first appearance for Arsenal in nearly two years, a Capital One Cup outing against Southampton, Arsene Wenger revealed his plans to reinvent eternally-crocked Frenchman Abou Diaby as a holding midfielder.

“I tried to develop [Diaby] in a deeper role, I think he can do it. He can be very interesting because he has all the attributes to do it,” Wenger informed reporters. “After, he must love it as well because he’s more of an offensive-minded player. I try to transform him because he was injured for a long time and he has the physical potential to win the challenges. To face the game will be easier for him than to play with his back to goal with the injuries he had.”

There are certainly some positives to take from this news. Particularly, Arsene Wenger appears to be accepting the intrinsic need for more holding options in his midfield. Mikel Arteta offers great quality in possession, Mathieu Flamini a fantastic work-rate off the ball, but both lack the natural physicality required to contest the power and strength of Chelsea and Manchester City in the middle of the park.

Measuring at 6 foot 3, blessed with relative pace and brawn, Diaby is capable of providing it, although the level of effect injuries have had on his mobility remains to be seen.

Yet, pessimistically, one can already envisage the 28 year-old’s potential performances in the holding role becoming a justification for a new contract in the summer, and Wenger deciding against investing heavily in one of the many coveted defensive midfielders, such as Sami Khedira, Lars Bender or Morgan Schneiderlin, recently linked with an Emirates move.

Diaby may be a decent option until the end of the season, seeing as, for whatever reason, Wenger had little interest in signing a holding midfielder this summer, but he can’t be considered a long-term solution to an intrinsic flaw within Arsenal’s squad that’s existed since Alex Song left for Barcelona two years ago.

And we are talking about a player who has endured no less than 40 injures since his debut for Arsenal in 2006, the most recent being an eighteen-month sideline stint with a cruciate knee ligament injury. In that time, he’s managed only 124 Premier League appearances, averaging out at just 14 per season.

Fully developing Diaby as a defensive midfielder, teaching him the tactical discipline and defensive awareness required, will take at least a couple of years, and there are no guarantees – in fact, history suggests completely otherwise – that he’ll remain in clean health for such a period. At which point, the midfielder will be the wrong side of 30 and beyond his footballing peak.

There’s also something remarkably illogical about attempting to utilise a habitual member of Arsenal’s injury list in the most physically-demanding area of the pitch. Tough tackles and robust challenges will be compulsory, yet the former France international is only ever one away from ruling himself out of contention for extended periods.

This isn’t Diaby’s first reinvention either; unquestionably more natural as an attacking force, he’s been tested in central midfield, on the left wing and as a No.10 by Wenger before with mixed results.  A combination of turbulent performances and season-ending injuries has seen the 28 year-old fail to make any role his own. At this point, there’s little to suggest moving him deeper into midfield will pan out any differently.

You can understand Wenger’s temptation. He’s continually stood by the midfielder throughout his injury problems and to paraphrase the Arsenal boss, Diaby has shown enormous mental strength by refusing to hang up his boots. It’s an unfortunate situation that’s cost the club wages and resources and Diaby the best years of his career; both the Gunners and the 28 year-old deserve something positive to come out of it, even if at the compromise of a change in position.

Optimists will argue that the Gunners stuck it out with Robin van Persie during six years of continuous injury as well as Tomaz Rosicky, who once looked like he’d never kick a ball again, and eventually, Arsenal reaped the benefits of their loyalty.

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In regards to Diaby however, it feels like flogging a dead horse. And placing faith in a 28 year-old who hasn’t played regular football since 2010 is an incredibly risky strategy. One certainly struggles to envisage a similar situation coming into fruition at any other of the Premier League’s top four clubs.

I’m sure that rather taking a gamble on the crocked midfielder Arsenal fans would much prefer to see their manager invest properly in a department that’s required strengthening for the last two seasons. After all, even if Diaby proves useful as a holding midfielder, he’s still not the specialist Arsenal desperately need in that role.

And although it feels as heart-breaking as telling a toddler there’s no such thing as Father Christmas, with his contract set to expire at the end of the season,  it’s probably time the Gunners gave up on Diaby.

It could be worse Nando, you could be one of these guys…

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