Abou Diaby might have lost a lot of his career to injuries, but back again after another long layoff, the Arsenal midfielder is desperate to make up for lost time.
Diaby put in a man of the match performance in Arsenal's previous game against Liverpool - crucially lasting the entire 90 minutes - and also scored the only goal for France in their 1-0 win over Finland in a 2014 World Cup qualifier.
"I had some very difficult moments, some days when I was depressed when it was tough," Diaby told Le Parisien. "But even then, I always kept faith. I always told myself that some people were in a worse position than me.
"When you see Eric Abidal (who has had a liver transplant), you think twice about yourself. I just had to get my body sorted.
"I am 26 and I am aware that I am at a key moment in my career. That's why it was so important that I came back this season. Last year I told myself, 'I am injured again, I am nearly 26 and I am at a key turn. Either, I take the turn well and I succeed, either I don't take it and it will become very, very difficult.'
"Now, I am careful about every detail, I leave nothing to chance. I am much more mature. I also had a full pre-season for the first time in ages. It's such an important season for me that I am working harder than ever to succeed.
"I have revenge to take over the time I lost but I want to prove to myself that I can go higher. I am getting to an age and to a time in my career where I need to show what I can do on the pitch in the long term.
"I don't want to miss out on anything. I know what my qualities are and I want to use them to go higher. I have played three games this season, I getting better but I can do more. Physically, I am only 70 per cent."
Diaby said he never thought about quitting the sport, but admitted doubts were creeping up in his mind about his ability to play a full season. "(When you have) a season without playing you're never sure of anything," he said. "I am usually calm but last season it started to play on my mind.
"Before, I was never apprehensive before a game after an injury. It was almost like I had never been injured. But last season, before the Fulham game, I was shaking on the bench because I was scared of getting injured again. It was incredible.
"All I wanted was to play again. I am born with a strong temper. I never give up. Maybe some people would have given up in my position but it was out of the question for me.
"It was my destiny, it was written [to come back]. I had to fight to put an end to all those injuries and to be able to express myself on a pitch again."
Meanwhile France coach Didier Deschamps praised the Arsenal player for an all-round performance for his country. Diaby scored the winner in the 20th minute, calmly slotting home from 12 yards off a pass from Karim Benzema. "I do not need to be reassured by Diaby," Deschamps told reporters.
"I saw him play at Arsenal. Obviously he has a lot of qualities. This is a complete midfielder, able to do everything, including scoring. Of course I prefer to have him at my disposal."
