Abou Diaby reveals fitness encouragement

Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby has revealed that he has stopped using crutches as he steps up his return to fitness.

The 27-year-old Frenchman is expected to be sidelined until the end of the year after suffering knee ligament damage in March.

"I have come off the crutches," Diaby told L'Equipe. "Now I have to start walking again!

"I will start running again in a few weeks. I want to take my time with everything to ensure that it all goes smoothly."

Diaby is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the French national training centre in Clairefontaine.