Amaury Bischoff is grateful to Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger for still signing him despite the midfielder being seriously injured. The 21-year-old Portuguese youngster has now recovered from the groin problem which sidelined him for so long and has featured twice for the Gunners this season.

"I suffered very serious groin trouble at Werder (Bremen)," he told Aujourd'hui Sport.

"Arsene Wenger wanted me anyway. He hired me for one season while I was still injured.

"The first five months at London, I was training all alone. Arsenal saved me. Wenger gave me one more year to come back to the best level.

"After eight months I have already played two matches and appeared a few times in the professional group. But the coach doesn't want to rush."