Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby has revealed that his injury woes forced him to consider quitting the game.

The versatile Diaby made just one appearance last season, for 16 minutes on the last day. After coming back into the side during pre-season, he stated that his love of football caused him to reconsider his retirement plans.

The Mirror quotes him as saying: "Yes. Sometimes [retiring] crossed my mind, but my love of football is so big that I just couldn't quit.

"I am still young and now that I have an opportunity to play again I want to take it. I try to be positive all the time and that has helped me to come back.

"It's great to be playing again and it's a good feeling. I am just happy to be back and playing. Now I just hope I can keep like this and continue playing. My knee is feeling good, I have been working hard on my fitness and strength."

Diaby has played under 1,000 minutes in the last three seasons combined.