Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby confessed football was just “for fun” when he was a little boy although as he was getting better he knew that he had a chance to become a professional.

Yet to secure a regular place in Arsene Wenger’s starting line-up, the Frenchman joined Arsenal after reportedly turning down an offer from Chelsea as he told Arsenal TV Online that he was impressed by the quality of the pitch at Highbury, by him described as unbelievable, as well as how close and important supporters were at Arsenal’s old home.

Diaby also commented on former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira, who tipped him to be his “natural successor” as he explained how it is an honour to be compared with such a great player but how at the same time he always tries to be a unique figure in the world of football.

On his early days, Diaby said:

From the start [football] was just for fun but the thing is that the more I played, the more I was getting better and then I thought that I could make it so thank God I could make it, it’s good.

My first impression of Highbury was the quality of the pitch, I never played on a pitch like that before, it was unbelievable. Even the crowd, the pitch was small but you could feel the supporters at the same time, I have great memories from that time.

[Comparisons with Patrick Vieira?] Coming from him it’s a very good compliment, it’s an honour for me but I always say that this is me. It’s good when people compare you to big players but at the same time I want to be myself.