He was supposed to be moulded into the next Michael Essien at Stamford Bridge, biding his time and studiously learning from the master. For Lassana Diarra, however, patience was not one of his strongest points, and after a couple of seasons on the periphery of the first-team - relegated to sporadic substitute appearances and Carling Cup outings - he demanded an exit. Not many 22 year olds wish to forsake the opportunity to learn under the tutelage of Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge, but in the summer of 2007 he was on his way across the capital into the arms of Arsene Wenger.
''I have great respect for the manager Arsene Wenger and am attracted by the style of football that the team plays. Of course, I am excited by what the future holds and keen to play my part in helping Arsenal fight for trophies. - Lassana Diarra, August 2007.
If helping the Gunners challenge for silverware was his objective, he failed miserably as he lasted just six months in the Emirates before that impatient streak resurfaced. After just seven appearances in the league, Diarra once more lamented a lack of first-team opportunities and swiftly took another step down the ladder towards Portsmouth. To his credit, it seemed to work, as he managed to get his hands on the FA Cup and earned himself a blockbuster move to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future.
Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.
