When Diaby arrived in the Premier League on January 13, 2006, Arsenal beat off competition from Chelsea and Jose Mourinho to sign the 19-year-old from Auxerre.
Comparisons were already drawn to club legend and former captain Patrick Vieira because of his height, intensity and technique on the ball.
'Diaby is a bit more offensive than Vieira but when he plays a more defensive role he is very similar,' Wenger said.
He started off well, scoring his first goal for the Gunners in April against Aston Villa, but his debut half-season in north London ended in despair.
Diaby was the victim of an 'assassins tackle' from Sunderland youngster Dan Smith - according to Wenger - his sickening scream as he fractured his ankle at the Stadium of Light must still be heard by the boss.
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