Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny is slowly becoming a favourite amongst Arsenal fans as he is finally showing why manager Arsene Wenger signed him two seasons ago.

Speaking to the Club’s official website before Tuesday’s game against Olympique Marseille, the Frenchman declared that he never thought he would feature in the English Premier League and Champions League when at Lorient as he confessed that he had to get through some difficult moments to reach the level he finally reached at Arsenal.

Sensational in his last few games, the 26-year old was full of praise for managers Daniel Sanchez, Christian Gourcuff and Arsène Wenger as he confessed that he will not be carried away as he respects the game and wants to stay humble.

On how his game improved since joining the Gunners, Koscielny concluded by saying that in training he works on his passing game as well as his controls with the ball adding that he is more rigorous on the pitch, commits less fouls and gets less booked, all things he learned during his first year in England.

On his first two years at Arsenal, the centre-back said:

Two years ago I scored with Lorient in Marseille. Since then, so many things have happened to me.

If someone had told me that I would now be playing for Arsenal, that I would have beaten Lionel Messi’s Barcelona team and had been called up for France, I would not have believed it. It has been two crazy years.

I often think of my unusual journey to the top level. I had some difficult moments which made me who I am now. I know where I’m coming from and what I had to do to get where I’m now.

I had three great managers in Daniel Sanchez in Tours, Christian Gourcuff and now Arsène Wenger. They are very similar and share the same philosophy of football.

Everything went so fast and I know that it could go as fast in the other way so I’m staying very humble. I respect football. If you get carried away, things will get back at you.

I feel I’m in the best form of my life. I’ve improved a lot. I keep working on the basics, my controls and my passes.

I’m also more rigorous. I make less fouls and get less booked as I needed time to adapt to England. I also cope better with the pressure of playing in a very big club.

And I know I can improve even more. Chelsea was one of the best performances of my career, along with the win against Barcelona at home last season.

Most importantly it’s a win that will bring the team together even more and will bring great confidence.