Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger paid Abou Diaby the ultimate tribute he can have by claiming he is just like Patrick Vieira.

Vieira who was one of the star players in an Arsenal team which consisted of Thierry Henry, Robert Pires and Freddie Ljunberg was and is still considered one of the most complete central midfielders in the modern game.

Wenger said: There are similarities with Vieira - he has the same stature and the same size.

"He has power through the middle of the park. He showed that with his goal and I feel he is growing at the moment.

"There is still a lot of work for him to do to get to where Patrick was, but he is only 22.

"Patrick is a very good role model for him."

However, Wenger was quick to bring the youngster back down to earth by claiming he is not the finished product yet.

"There wasn't a lot wrong with his first-half performance.

"But we were a bit on the back foot at times and didn't protect our defence well enough.

"These are just little things he will learn from game to game."