Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was full of praise for Frenchman Abou Diaby before yesterday’s Champions League game at home against AZ Alkmaar, although he believes the 23-year old should be more responsible in his job. Diaby went on to be one of the best players for the Gunners in a game which the North London side won 4-1 with ease.

Wenger, who is using Diaby more and more after Denilson’s back injury, was speaking on the player’s enormous talent when the squad is surging forward and how vital he can be in the Arsenal midfield.

He said:

I must say he is attracted like a magnet by the opponent’s goal.

You do not want to take that out of the players when they are at such a young age but what we can be as well is a little bit more controlled. We do not need to have seven players running forward when you are 1-0 or 2-1 up with five minutes to go. That is something I have told him to take responsibility for in the team.

He likes to play up front just behind the strikers and in time going on he will want to play there. But he is such a strong player in the challenge that I think he will play later in his career a bit deeper in front of the defenders. He is very quick and when he wins the ball he can accelerate the game and I can see him playing deeper.

I think he has done extremely well since he came in. He gives us a good mixture because he is a player who is very strong in the challenge and we have been before a little bit criticised for being capable of being intimidated.

He is very strong in the challenge, good in the air, has a work rate and gives us good balance in midfield.