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Diaby: Injury almost forced me to quit

Abou Diaby has not played for Arsenal for 14 months © PA Photos

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Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby has revealed he thought of ending his career during his year-long recovery from a serious knee injury.

Diaby, who turns 28 on Sunday, was on the bench for the 1-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion, but did not get to feature for the first time since rupturing the cruciate ligaments in his left knee during a training session 13 months ago.

And the France international has revealed there were times during his rehabilitation that he considered never returning to the pitch at all, finally beaten by the latest in a long line of injuries that have stunted his career growth.

'You'll get rid of me one day'

Arsene Wenger says he has no intention of leaving the Emirates © Getty Images

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"You ask yourself whether you're going to still be a footballer," Diaby, who would have returned earlier only for an infection in his knee requiring further surgery in October, 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: '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."

The former Auxerre man has not featured in an Arsenal shirt since a 2-0 win over Swansea City in March last year.

He does hope he can play some part in the final Premier League game of the campaign against Norwich City on Sunday, before featuring in the FA Cup final against Hull City on May 17.

"If my black season could end with a cup final victory, that would be marvellous," said Diaby, who has all but given up hope of adding to his 16 international caps at this summer's World Cup.

"There are two games left, you have to be realistic. But if I could be the 23rd man on the plane for Brazil... I dream of that."

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