However, after 13 appearances for the Gunners, he decided
another move was necessary to push his claim for a place in the
France squad at Euro 2008 and secured a transfer to Portsmouth,
where he would go on to win the FA Cup final at Wembley.
Wenger, though, is in no doubt had the young midfielder shown
more "patience", the opportunities would have come his way with the
Gunners, especially following the departure of Mathieu Flamini to
AC Milan.
"I came to the conclusion that Diarra could not cope with the
fact that he was behind the other players here in midfield," said
the Gunners boss. "I thought the best option was to let him go
because I already had Denilson, [Abou] Diaby and Gilberto all
trying to get into the team as well. It was a congestion."
Wenger told the June edition of the official Arsenal magazine:
"I bought Diarra in the summer because I thought Flamini might
leave at the end of the season and if he was able to be patient, he
would get his chance. "It turned out he wasn't capable of that.
With Euro 2008 in mind, he panicked.
"I did explain when he joined that he might have to be patient,
and he acknowledged it, but he couldn't cope with the situation,
and also did not want to go on loan anywhere either."
Just what shape Arsenal will be in for the start of next season
remains to be seen. With Flamini already gone, speculation
continues that winger Alexander Hleb will soon follow him out of
Emirates Stadium, with Real Madrid and Inter said to be leading the
chase.
Meanwhile, reports in Italy claim Roma are ready to move for
veteran Brazilian Gilberto, who saw his impact limited last season
and is entering the final 12 months of his existing deal.