Abou Diaby retires: Arsenal cult hero calls time on playing career

Diaby, who was on Paris St Germain's books early in his career, joined Arsenal from Auxerre in 2006 and spent almost a decade in north London

Diaby spent almost a decade in north London (Getty Images)

Former Arsenal and France midfielder Abou Diaby has retired from football aged 32.

Diaby made the announcement live on French television channel RMC's "Footissime" show after several years suffering with injuries, having most recently played for Marseille in 2017.

He said: "I am bringing an end to my professional career. It is the right time.

"For a number of years it has been difficult for me to return, with a lot of physical problems.

"It is a difficult decision but I have thought a lot about my decision and I am at ease with it. After Marseille, I gave myself a year to come back but it was harder than I thought, and I have decided to stop."

Diaby, who was on Paris St Germain's books early in his career, joined Arsenal from Auxerre in 2006 and spent almost a decade in north London, though injuries limited him to 16 league appearances in his last four seasons and also prematurely ended his comeback attempt with OM.

He won 16 caps for his country, scoring once against Finland in 2012.

A post on Les Bleus' Twitter account, featuring a video of that goal, read: "We wish the first goalscorer of the (Didier) Deschamps era a lot of happiness and success in the new life that awaits him."

PA