Arsenal left-back Kieran Gibbs has revealed the extent of an injury that he thought had cost him his career.

The defender broke a metatarsal bone in his foot six years ago, and the attacking full-back thought that the break would cost him his career in football.

Gibbs is reported as saying in the Daily Mail: "When I tried to walk, my body was telling me I couldn't. I looked down and saw a hole in the boot and there was blood leaking out. I got in the dressing room and jumped on the bed. By then I'd calmed down and the pain really hit me.

"They cut my boot off my foot. I looked at the injury for two seconds. It was a hole, an open wound. And then I closed my eyes until I was at hospital. I didn't look again. I was in so much pain. I was knocking back pills for fun.

"[The doctor] rang me and said, 'look we are having a bit of trouble, mate'. I just thought, 'Oh God, what is he going to say? Is he going to tell me I can't play again?' A million thoughts went through my head before he said, 'You just need another surgery and we should be able to get through it.'"

Gibbs has been part of a Gunners side that is currently top of the Premier League.