Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits Samir Nasri's early impact has surprised him.

"I didn't count Nasri in here for the first six months of the season, like I do for everybody we buy at such a young age," admitted Wenger to arsenal.com.

"When you look at the impact he had already here you can say he's ahead of what I planned for him.

"He's 21, goes from France to England, and I must say I'm quite pleased with his attitude and his performances. He's doing extremely well and he is already becoming an important player for us and that is why you do not want him to get injured."