Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby is hoping his injury woes are now over.

Diaby was restricted to just five substitute appearances in all competitions last season and the midfielder admits his spell on the sidelines took its toll.

"First of all it does affect you physically because you cannot play," Diaby told Arsenal Player. "And I have to say mentally as well because it is hard.

"The only thing we love is to play football and seeing your team-mates play every weekend while you are on the bench is quite hard."