Abou Diaby is backing Arsenal's youngsters ahead of their NextGen quarterfinal against CSKA Moscow.

Diaby has taken a keen interest in the tournament.

"I would definitely have liked to play in the NextGen Series," he told Arsenal.com. "When I was younger we always used to talk about this kind of competition, to play all over Europe against big teams.

"That was a real dream but unfortunately at that time it didn't happen. But I think it is really good for the youth players, it is great experience for them. At a young age they can feel the atmosphere of playing in the European Cup, so that will really help them."