Arsenal's in-form midfielder Abou Diaby insists consistency will be
the key to the Gunners' push for glory on two fronts this season.
Arsenal are now third in the Premier League and in the last
16 of the Champions League and Diaby is convinced the club can lift
some silverware this term.
The France midfielder's fine form has made him a regular in
Arsene Wenger's side and he signed a new long-tern contract with
the Gunners earlier this week. But the midfielder has now set his
sights on a double trophy success after Arsenal's 4-1 win over
Portsmouth put them just four points behind leaders Chelsea with a
game in hand.
"I think now we are in a really good position and I hope that
we will keep going and get closer to Chelsea and Manchester
United," said Diaby. "We have a good opportunity to win the title
this year so we have to really work hard for that.
"For the last six months we have to be really consistent and
win games. The team is ready, the spirit is there and the quality
as well, so we have everything to win the League and even the
Champions League as well.
"If we win (our game in hand) we get to one point behind
Chelsea so it's really important for us. We have to win that game
to get closer and then we will see what happens.
"We have everything here to be a great team and we have got
to give our best and give everything to win something this year."
Diaby believes he is enjoying his best period at the club since
arriving from Auxerre in January 2006 and he paid tribute to Wenger
for his belief in him.
"I'm very happy to sign a new contract with the club," added
the 23-year-old. "It shows my long-term commitment to Arsenal.
"I'm very happy here and I love the club, which is why I'm so
pleased to extend my contract. It's a good thing and hopefully
we're going to have some great years here.
"He (Wenger) decided to extend my contract and that means
that he has confidence in me and I'm very happy about that. At the
same time I want to be thankful because it gives me a lot of
confidence.
"It is a perfect moment and I think we're going to start the
New Year with a good base. The most important thing for me is to
keep going and keep performing to help the team to win. I think
personally there is a lot more to come but I'm working hard all the
time to get to my best."
"It could be my best period because it has been nearly four
years now and I have had a lot of injuries. This year has been good
because I have played a lot. The most important thing for me is to
look forward and focus on what is coming in the future."
The future could be a place in France's World Cup squad for
next summer's final in South Africa, but Diaby refuses to build up
his hopes.
"Of course I would like to play in the World Cup in the
summer and do well at the World Cup but at the moment I'm really
focussed on what I'm doing with the club because that is the most
important thing," insisted Diaby. "We will see in the summer about
the World Cup."
