Abou Diaby's rangy frame and African-French background invited comparisons with Patrick Vieira from the moment he arrived at Arsenal in 2006.
It seemed unfair and unrealistic to burden a 20-year-old in such a heady manner.
But his displays this season have shown the similarities may not be just the fanciful hope of Gunners supporters still longing for their former captain and the talisman of their trophy-laden era.
Had it not been for Cesc Fabregas's majestic 27-minute performance, Diaby would have been man-of-the-match against Aston Villa on Sunday.
He was tenacious in the tackle and eager to support an attack that floundered, evidenced by a superb solo effort for Arsenal's final goal in the handsome 3-0 win.
It was Diaby's sixth of the season and second in successive games. Coupled with Fabregas taking his tally to 10 - just three short of a career-best 13 achieved in the 2007-08 campaign - it is something Arsene Wenger has welcomed.
"In this [midfield] shape that we have, Diaby and Fabregas can score goals," said the manager. "You have not one, but two who come from a deep position and can score goals.
"Diaby looks very good. Since the beginning of the season, I have always played him and he is growing in stature. He's dominant in the fight and he scores goals."
With Fabregas out for three weeks with the hamstring strain suffered against Villa, Wenger will want Diaby to lead in midfield against bottom club Portsmouth tonight and demonstrate a level of consistency that marked his idol, Vieira, out as a great player.
But the Arsenal manager has another commander to call upon in Thomas Vermaelen.
The Belgian centre-back made a goalscoring impact early on, but has since quietly and efficiently gone about his business in a defence that has kept three clean sheets in the last five games.
"He's a very quiet boy, but very determined," added Wenger. "He has a good mix of commitment and focus, and he's relaxed.
"That's important when you play at the back. He never panics and panic is contagious. We look solid at the back and there's a good understanding between Thomas and William Gallas. It's given us a good foundation."
Arsenal will need that to continue at Fratton Park in a game Wenger does not want his third-placed side to take for granted as they bid to close the gap on leaders Chelsea.
The Gunners dropped two points at Burnley on their last away trip . "I think Portsmouth are in a more difficult situation than Burnley," said Wenger.
"I watched them beat Liverpool and it's a difficult place to go. You need to come up with a top performance."
Having beaten Burnley and Liverpool, Portsmouth need to complete a hat-trick of home wins to strengthen their belief in the relegation battle.
"We've got to make use of our home form and make Fratton a fortress," said the goalkeeper, Asmir Begovic. "We know we can give anybody a game at home. We've got to take the game to Arsenal and be positive."
@Email:akhan@thenational.ae
Portsmouth v Arsenal, KO 11.45pm, Showsports 2
Company%20Profile
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The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 611bhp
Torque: 620Nm
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Price: upon application
On sale: now
General%20Classification
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
Timeline
1947
Ferrari’s road-car company is formed and its first badged car, the 125 S, rolls off the assembly line
1962
250 GTO is unveiled
1969
Fiat becomes a Ferrari shareholder, acquiring 50 per cent of the company
1972
The Fiorano circuit, Ferrari’s racetrack for development and testing, opens
1976
First automatic Ferrari, the 400 Automatic, is made
1987
F40 launched
1988
Enzo Ferrari dies; Fiat expands its stake in the company to 90 per cent
2002
The Enzo model is announced
2010
Ferrari World opens in Abu Dhabi
2011
First four-wheel drive Ferrari, the FF, is unveiled
2013
LaFerrari, the first Ferrari hybrid, arrives
2014
Fiat Chrysler announces the split of Ferrari from the parent company
2015
Ferrari launches on Wall Street
2017
812 Superfast unveiled; Ferrari celebrates its 70th anniversary
PRO BASH
Thursday’s fixtures
6pm: Hyderabad Nawabs v Pakhtoon Warriors
10pm: Lahore Sikandars v Pakhtoon Blasters
Teams
Chennai Knights, Lahore Sikandars, Pakhtoon Blasters, Abu Dhabi Stars, Abu Dhabi Dragons, Pakhtoon Warriors and Hyderabad Nawabs.
Squad rules
All teams consist of 15-player squads that include those contracted in the diamond (3), platinum (2) and gold (2) categories, plus eight free to sign team members.
Tournament rules
The matches are of 25 over-a-side with an 8-over power play in which only two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle. Teams play in a single round robin league followed by the semi-finals and final. The league toppers will feature in the semi-final eliminator.
Company%20Profile
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The five pillars of Islam
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
Company%C2%A0profile
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Wydad 2 Urawa 3
Wydad Nahiri 21’, Hajhouj 90'
Urawa Antonio 18’, 60’, Kashiwagi 26’
The%20team
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Barcelona 3
Messi (27’, 32’, 87’)
Leganes 1
El Zhar (68’)
Best Foreign Language Film nominees
Capernaum (Lebanon)
Cold War (Poland)
Never Look Away (Germany)
Roma (Mexico)
Shoplifters (Japan)