Arsenal signing Yaya Sanogo admits scout Gilles Grimandi was key to him landing from Auxerre.

Sanogo, a target for Lille, said he was won over by the first-class treatment he received from manager Arsene Wenger and Gunners scout Grimandi.

The striker added: "Gilles came to watch me at Auxerre and he invited me to a hotel in Paris. Arsene Wenger was there to welcome me in person.

"I was very impressed that he had come all that way specially. He told me I would get my chance at Arsenal.

"He said he'd been following me for years. The journey he'd made convinced me to join Arsenal."