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'Arsene Wenger has made grow as a player... he took a risk and I want to repay his faith,' says Laurent Koscielny

Laurent Koscielny has lavished praise on Arsene Wenger for converting him into one of the Premier League's finest central defenders.

Koscielny believes he owes a debt of gratitude to his manager for backing him at the highest level after bringing him to the Emirates from Lorient, who were a French Second Division side in 2010.

The 31-year-old Frenchman was relatively unknown when he joined the Gunners for an undisclosed fee six years ago, but he has emerged as one of Wenger's finest defensive signings during his 20-year tenure.

Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny is keen to keep repaying the faith in Arsene Wenger
Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny is keen to keep repaying the faith in Arsene Wenger
Wenger took the risk of signing Koscielny for an undisclosed fee from Lorient in 2010
Wenger took the risk of signing Koscielny for an undisclosed fee from Lorient in 2010

Koscielny, who scored a last-minute winner against Burnley on Sunday, is fully aware that he was perceived as a risk at the time of his arrival in north London - and he has nothing but the utmost respect for the work his compatriot has done in making him the player he is today.