Arsenal's Diaby considered hanging boots after Sunderland injury

London, Jan 3(ANI): Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby has said that he had considered hanging up his boots as he was fed up with constant injuries.

Diaby has just signed a new contract that will keep him at Arsenal until 2016, but he admits that he was severely affected by a horrific broken ankle against Sunderland in 2006, which kept him sidelined for eight months.

"I started to have enough of football and of injuring myself all the time. I wanted to drop everything. But I held on, worked hard and now I am getting the rewards," News of the World quoted Diaby, as saying.

"I knew my form would come when I had sorted out all my physical problems. Since I arrived four years ago I've picked up niggling injuries. Now I am free from injury. This season I am playing a lot and I have enormous confidence in myself," he added.

The 23-year-old further said that manager Arsene Wengers' formation suits him perfectly and he is flourishing in the team.

"I want to keep on playing and improving. I want to succeed and make an impression so that I'm accepted by everyone. And like all players, I want to win titles. But when you are young and you arrive at a great club like Arsenal, it's not easy," Diaby said.

"I had to raise my game. I had to gain maturity fast and become more consistent," he added. (ANI)