Arsene Wenger

Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, has paid tribute to Abou Diaby, after the former Arsenal player announced his retirement from football. Diabyplayed for eight-and-a-half years in the colours of Arsenal.Althoughtheeight-and-a-half years were marred by injury spells of different spans. The Frenchman accumulated just 182 appearances for the Gunners in that spell, with only 92 of them being a premier League start. He suffered fromdifferent injuries, includingAnkle, calf, thigh and cruciate ligament. Diaby suffered while at Arsenal, but he was always a popular figure in the club.

At the age of 32, the midfielder has called time on his injury hit career. Arsene Wenger brought him to the Emirates from Auxerre in a £2million deal in 2006, he suffered a broken ankle against Sunderland at the end of the 2005/06 season, just five months after joining the London based club. This was what set the tone for Diaby's injury nightmare at the Emirates. He did not make his comeback until January 2007 and suffered injury upon injury thereafter.

“Speaking to the media, Wenger said he his sad Diaby is ending his Career“. Wenger said It was strangehearing about it because the previous night, he was asked about Diaby and this tackle he received against Sunderland tin 2006. Which he replied by praising the courage and strength Diaby showed to make is comeback. Wenger said itis unfortunate that theFrenchmancouldn’t express all the talent he has. He went further by saying he is sure “the former Arsenal player“ will have success in whatever he does next, and wished him the best for the future.

Diaby shocked the world by announcing his retirement on a French TV show this week, stating that this is the right time for him to bring is playing career to an end, as it has been difficult for him to return from injury. He stated that it was a difficult decision.