by Lewis Ambrose

It has been confirmed by the Premier League that Arsenal have released seven players ahead of the 2015/16 season.

Among those players is Abou Diaby, who has struggled with countless injuries since joining the club in January 2006.

Diaby made 180 appearances for Arsenal, scoring 19 times for the Arsène Wenger’s men.

Wenger persisted with Diaby’s huge talent but, now aged 29, it is clear that he is unlikely to ever play regular football at the highest level.

Diaby is joined by Ryo Miyaichi, who spent the 2014/15 season on loan at FC Twente.

Miyaichi moved from Japan to play for Arsenal at the age of 18 but has barely featured. Loan spells at Feyenoord, Bolton, and Twente are all he has to show for his time in Europe so far.

Last season he played 10 times for Twente but made more appearances for their reserves.

It is worth nothing that “…players signified as a “free transfer” or released by a club on the expiry of their contract on 30 June 2015, could remain there next season and so this list should not be seen as definitive for players leaving their club.”

Youngsters

As well as Diaby and Miyaichi a number of young players have been released.

Semi Ajayi, Jack Jebb, Austin Lipman, Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill and Josh Vickers have left the club following loan spells or time in the youth and reserve teams.

Where Diaby lost out through injury, there were simply never opportunities for these players to make their mark and grow in the Arsenal first-team.

We wish all of the players released by the club success in the future.

Hopefully Abou Diaby finds fitness somewhere and the younger players all continue to have careers in professional football.