Arsenal signing Yaya Sanogo admits he came close to choosing Lille as he prepared to leave Auxerre.

Lille were also linked with Sanogo and he says that it was a straight fight between them and Arsenal for his signature.

Sanogo told France Football: "I told my agent the choice would be made between these two clubs. Lille's coach Rudi Garcia called me all the time. I hesitated a lot.

"Gilles Grimandi [Arsenal scout] came to see me from time to time at Auxerre too. One day he called me for a meeting in a Paris hotel and Arsene Wenger was there. I was very impressed."

And it was during that meeting that Sanogo made his decision to join the North London club.

"Wenger told me I would get opportunities and reassured me about my injury. He told me he had followed me for years. That meeting was very important and today I am an Arsenal player," said Sanogo.

"It will be an amazing adventure. I am just eager to start in one of the best leagues in the world. It is a dream that has come true."