Bacary Sagna believes a fully-fit Abou Diaby is one of the world's best footballers.

The France international made his latest comeback on Tuesday night after more than a year on the sidelines with a serious knee injury.

Diaby's promising Arsenal career has been halted time and again by fitness issues but, at 27, the midfielder has time on his side.

"He's still young, that's what is amazing because he had so many setbacks and bad news in his life but he's still fighting, he's still smiling and that's what I admire about him," Sagna told Arsenal Player.

"He always wants to give the maximum, he always stays positive and I think that's why he's back today"

"He always wants to give the maximum, he always stays positive and I think that's why he's back today.

"To me he is one of the best in the world [when he is fit]. When he's at his best he can play as well as Patrick Vieira did and as good as many players did. He can be useful for the team and he can be decisive.

"To be honest I was shocked the day he got injured [at Swansea last season] because to me he deserves to have a great career. He's a great player with great skill and ability but he got injured a lot.

"That's life and I think he is strong enough to come back to his best and work hard, that's what he's done until now and I'm glad to see him back. He played with the reserves and he is training with us so I'm looking forward to him playing with us."