Former Arsenal star Abou Diaby retires from football

Former Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby has announced he is retiring from professional football at the age of 32.

The former France international, whose career has been ravaged by injuries, has not played a competitive match since 2016.

Speaking on an RMC Sport TV show, Diaby said: “I put an end to my professional career. It was time.

“For a number of years, it has been difficult for me to come back. I had a lot of physical problems. At one point, you have to ask the right questions.

“I decided to stop simply because the body was not following me. It’s difficult because I have spent most of my life in football.

“It’s a closing a chapter. There is a new one that opens. It is a well-considered decision.

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“When I left Marseille, I gave myself a year. It turned out to be more complicated than I thought. I got to a point where even in my daily life it bothered me. ”

Diaby starred under Arsene Wenger during a nine-year stint at the Gunners in which he made 180 appearances and scored nine goals.

He signed for Marseille after playing just twice in last two seasons at the Emirates but only played six times across two seasons for the Ligue 1 side and he was released by them in 2017.