Celta Vigo midfielder Denis Suarez says injury was to blame for his problems at Arsenal.

The ex- Barcelona star managed just six appearances for The Gunners in his four-month spell due to rotten luck with injuries.

"I played in my first game against Manchester City and then 10 days later I got injured (in the first leg) against BATE Borisov in the Europa League," Suarez told The Athletic.

"I had too much pain in my groin. I did tests and scans and nothing was in my groin, but there was a big edema (build-up of fluid) around the pubic bone.

"I had sharp pain when I ran, when I shot, when I passed. It was so difficult. I was at something like 30 per cent of my fitness."

He added: "After the match against BATE Borisov, I had incredible pain. Every movement, every change of direction, every shot. I tried to train through the pain. It became unsustainable. I was not in a state to play at my best. Unai could not play me as he knew I was not even near 50 per cent."

Suarez has since left Barcelona permanently, joining Celta Vigo last summer.