Former Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby is in talks with FC Dallas over a move to the Major League Soccer as he aims to rebuild his career following an injury plagued time in London. FC Dallas currently are sixth in the Western Conference standings after just one win in seven.
The French midfielder, once labeled as 'the next Vieira', was released by Arsenal this summer following a nightmare career at the Emirates, where he lasted nine years in which he only made 125 league appearances for the club. Following a season in which he made one appearance, a 2-1 defeat to Southampton in the Capital One Cup, Arsene Wenger decided against giving him a new contract.
Diaby's injury sustained at Sunderland hindered his career
Diaby joined the Gunners in January of 2006 from Auxerre, however, a season ending injury suffered at the hands of then Sunderland midfielder Dan Smith would affect his career thereafter. Diaby suffered a broken ankle which Arsene Wenger described as an "assassin's tackle that went unpunished."
Diaby has in total suffered almost 40 individual injuries in his career since 2006, however Arsene Wenger has always backed the Frenchman saying he was not injury prone, but "a victim of competition," referring to the bad tackle he suffered at Sunderland.
"A hugely talented midfielder, unfortunately his time at the club was interrupted by a number of serious injuries" was the statement from the Arsenal website following his release, and Arsene Wenger himself praised the midfielder's spirit and determination;
"He is a player that I have an enormous amount of respect for, every time he comes back, he has to start from zero with another injury."
With the recent surge of big name players joining the MLS such as Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, Diaby is reported to be in talks with FC Dallas where he believes he can bring some stability to his career.