French midfielder Abou Diaby has insisted that he did enjoy some ‘beautiful moments’ at Arsenal, but admits that he will always regret his failure to realise his full potential with the Gunners.
The Frenchman ended his nine-year long association with Arsenal earlier this summer after being released and firmly bid farewell to England when he joined Marseille on a free transfer earlier this week.
Diaby joined Arsenal from Auxerre in 2006, but suffered an injury plagued career at Arsenal, where he made just 180 appearances over the last nine years.
Apart from a League Cup appearance, he missed the entire 2014/15 campaign due to injuries and Arsene Wenger did say that he felt a tinge of sadness in releasing the player this summer.
The midfielder admits that he did have a torrid time with the Gunners in terms of injuries, but insisted that he also experienced a few moments to cherish at the Emirates.
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While Diaby stressed that working with Wenger will remain one of the high points of his career, he also feels a tinge of regret for failing to show his full potential with the Gunners.
"In nine years, I had hard times, but also very beautiful moments”, the Frenchman told RMC Sport.
"I had the chance to meet a coach like Arsene Wenger, who is a great coach and a great man too.
“I have this regret at not having been able to express all my qualities and my potential. I arrived young at heart, I had to evolve in that club and almost finished my career there.”
The Frenchman is now looking forward to playing for Marseille and insisted that he will work hard to reach the levels required to succeed at his new club.
“Now a new chapter opens. I will do everything in order to return to a good level."
