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Abou Diaby has admitted he looks back on his time at Arsenal with mixed emotions following his move to Marseille.

The French midfielder left north London after nine injury-ravaged years when his contract expired earlier this summer.

Diaby managed just two appearances in his final two seasons with the Gunners - but retained the support and sympathy of the club's fans.

The 29-year-old said he was touched by the help and patience demonstrated by the club, but admitted his memories of Arsenal would always be tinged with regret.

"In nine years, I had hard times but also very beautiful moments," he told radio station RMC. "I was fortunate to work alongside a coach like Arsene Wenger, who is a very, very great coach and a great man too.

(Image: Twitter/OM_Officiel)

"I regret I wasn't able to express all of my qualities and all my potential.

"I arrived when I was young, I really wanted to play for the club and all but finish my career there. My life has been such that that is not the case. Now, a new chapter is opening."

Diaby had offers from a number of clubs this summer, including West Brom and Liverpool but chose to head back to his native country instead. That choice, he revealed, was due to the quality of their medical staff and facilities.

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He said: "What motivated my choice was knowing which club would help me best medically. That was really my priority. I did have other offers. I had very, very good contacts with West Brom.

"Other clubs with whom I talked also put me in good conditions, but I found Marseille better. It is still a great French club. I said to myself, 'Why not go back to France?'"

(Image: Getty)

It's easy to forget that Diaby is a wonderfully gifted footballer when fit. And with the European Championships taking place in France next summer, Diaby is hopeful he can remind the world what he's capable of on an international stage.

He said: "I have not played for two years and it takes time. I want to do step by step. I continue to work, but [playing for] the national team is the back of my head."