Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby admits he feared for his career as he recovered from an ankle injury last season.

Diaby's Arsenal career has been held back by the injury he sustained at Sunderland 16 months ago when Dan Smith's shocking challenge nearly put him out of the game for good.

Diaby said: "It was a very bad injury. I had three operations and there was a worry I might not come back. The doctor told me that was a possibility.

"Last season was very frustrating with eight or nine months spent on the sidelines. When you watch this team you want to be out there on the pitch and be a part of it."