Marseille's team doctor has hailed Abou Diaby's work ethic as he toils up to six hours a day to get fit for his new club.
Diaby, 29, played just one competitive game for Arsenal last term and barely featured in his last handful of seasons with the Gunners before being released this summer.
The French midfielder acknowledged Marseille's excellent medical staff had helped sway his decision to join the club, and team doctor Christophe Baudot told OM.net Diaby was working hard to get in shape.
"Things are coming together. We have also had to draw up a complete physical preseason preparation for him," Baudot said.
"We have been agreeably surprised by the player and the man. He submits himself to training and treatment without any problem. Abou didn't come here to be in the treatment room. He's a footballer whom we have to re-condition so that he can start training with the rest of the squad a month or a month-and-a-half from now."
Baudot explained Diaby was doing a lot of gym work, swimming and cycling to add variety to his fitness regime, which takes up "practically six hours a day."
He also acknowledged the support Arsenal had given in providing details of Diaby's medical history, but after nine years in north London, Baudot suggested a change would do the former Auxerre prodigy good.
He said: "Everyone knows that when a player stays at a club for a long time, you sometimes need a change. He did some very good things before, but injuries can be approached in different ways, and I think the fact he has a new environment, both in terms of work and psychologically, can be beneficial for him."