Arsenal’s Abou Diaby: I considered retiring from football

Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby has admitted that he considered quitting football for good following his lengthy spell on the sidelines.

The France international has not featured for the north London side since March 2013 due to an ankle ligament injury but was an unused substitute as the Gunners ran out 1-0 victory over West Brom on Sunday.

I still have five or six years ahead of me, perhaps more

Abou Diaby

And the 27-year-old has revealed that he considered giving up the game as he questioned his ability to return.

“You ask yourself whether you’re going to still be a footballer,” Diaby told L’Equipe.

“You think of giving up everything. I said to myself: ‘I’m sick of this! I’m quitting!’ I spoke about it with my parents, my brothers, my sisters, my friends…then, I got up one morning [and said]: ‘No, out of the question!’

“I had to start from scratch. But given where I’d been, it didn’t really matter. It’s been tough because I’ve had a lot of injuries. I’m religious, and in my belief, despair doesn’t exist.

“You must never give in. Also, I’m only 27, soon 28. I still have five or six years ahead of me, perhaps more.”