Saint Etienne skipper Loic Perrin says he had contact with Arsenal in January.

The defender admits if the Gunners tried again he'd find it difficult to turn them down.

"I have never expressed the wish to leave Saint-Etienne. I am very well here. I take great pleasure on the field, we get good results ...

"I have always said that if I had to leave the club, I would have to join a team of a higher level, a new challenge.

"It is true that there was contact with Arsenal this winter and if a club of this standing wants to recruit me, it'd be difficult to refuse such a proposal."