 Complete the following phrase:  On 1 May, Diaby suffered a severe ankle fracture after being on the receiving end of a tackle, described by the media as horrendous, from Sunderland defender Dan Smith. After the match, Wenger described the tackle as a bad kick and an unnecessary one and also criticized his competitors over-physicality, while interim Sunderland manager Kevin Ball defended Smith stating Smith is not a malicious, dirty player and I think its unfair to make that call on him and say he deliberately went to do it. Dan went for the ball, unfortunately Diaby was quicker than him. As a result of the injury, Diaby missed the 2006 UEFA Champions League Final, as well as the 2006 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship. He underwent three surgeries to repair the injury and was told by doctors that the injury could possibly be career-ending. Following the surgeries, he underwent eight months of rehabilitation and made his return to first team action in the 200607 season in a League Cup match against Liverpool. He appeared as a substitute in the match as Arsenal won 63. On 25 February 2007, while participating in the 