Lassana Diarra has spoken out about his disappointing time at Arsenal, claiming that the club broke promises made to him when he signed from Chelsea in 2007. The French midfielder, now 41, spent just five months at the Emirates before moving on.
Diarra's Discontent
Diarra joined Arsenal on transfer deadline day in 2007 but left in the following January window after limited first-team opportunities, despite being a regular for the French national team. He voiced his frustration publicly just four months into his stay, accusing manager Arsene Wenger of reneging on a promise of regular playing time.
Speaking to L'Equipe, Diarra said: "We're halfway through December, and I've decided: I want to leave Arsenal. The bottom line is the coach doesn't need me. They don't want me. I don't understand, because I've got more value in the French national team."
He added: "When I signed for Arsenal I was made promises by the people who recruited me. But since the start of the season the only matches I've been involved in have been low-key, and to be honest I'm getting fed up with it."
Move to Portsmouth
Diarra secured a £5.5 million move to Portsmouth in January 2008 and went on to win the FA Cup four months later, as Portsmouth defeated Cardiff City in the final. His impressive performances at Fratton Park led to a £17 million (€20 million) transfer to Real Madrid after 11 months with the Premier League side.
Criticism of Wenger
After settling at Real Madrid, Diarra took aim at Wenger, claiming he learned "nothing" from the French manager. When asked by Spanish newspaper El Pais what Wenger had taught him, Diarra replied: "Me? Nothing. I did not learn anything from Wenger. He just taught me to doubt everything. The relationship I had with him was not good."
In contrast, he praised former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, saying: "I respect the way you train, but I learned more with Mourinho. Mourinho taught me to fight. I spoke looking into his eyes. If you had a problem, it would be discussed. Wenger never addressed me until I told him I was going."
Diarra added: "He talked to others, but not me. I feel like I never played for Arsenal. If people do not remind me of them, I forget about them. It's erased from my memory."
Later Career
After three years at Real Madrid, Diarra moved to Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala, then Lokomotiv Moscow. He returned to France with Marseille for two years before a brief stint at Emirati club Al Jazira. He finished his career in 2019 with Paris Saint-Germain, spending a season at the Parc des Princes.
