Arsenal's 11th-hour signing Lassana Diarra has expressed his
delight after having made his first start at Emirates Stadium on
Tuesday.
22-year-old Diarra joined The Gunners from Chelsea in a bid to try
to play more regularly after failing to impose himself at Stamford
Bridge.
The France international was started for the first time by Arsene
Wenger in the 2-0 Carling Cup win against Newcastle and impressed
with his Claude Makelele-style football.
"I am not at 100 per cent of my potential yet," he told AFP.
"Everything was fine on the collective and individual
aspects.
"I am happy with my first performance as a starter. I have rhythm
problems but I will be okay next month.
"I have finished now with Chelsea and I am totally focused on
Arsenal. I still speak to Chelsea players on the phone but it is
the past for me.
"I am happy at Arsenal, where I have a lot of fun. I hope it will
continue. "