Diaby says Chelsea could not guarantee him first-team football

Abou Diaby has revealed he turned down Chelsea to join Arsenal earlier in his career.

The French midfielder was a target for several big clubs after impressing in Ligue 1 with Auxerre, and claims he held talks with then Chelsea boss José Mourinho.

However, Diaby says Mourinho could not guarantee him first-team opportunities, whereas Arsène Wenger was keen to sign Diaby as a replacement for Patrick Vieira.

Diaby explained: "Did Chelsea try to sign me in 2005? Yes, but it was very complex.

"I visited the facilities but when I was there I had a chat with Lassana Diarra and he told me: 'Abou, I have not played for three months'. That made me hesitate.

"I even had a chat with José Mourinho. He was very frank and told me: 'I have a big team, with big players and I can't guarantee you anything, but we do want you'.

"Meanwhile, Arsène Wenger told me that he was looking for a midfielder to replace Vieira, that I had the same profile and that I would play."

Diaby says he could not turn the opportunity down, and the strong French contingent at Highbury was another decisive factor in making his move.

He said: "At that time, Arsenal had the French connection; Robért Píres and Thierry Henry were there, and that makes you dream.

"There were choices to make and Arsenal wanted me. They seemed exciting to me."

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