Barcelona midfielder Denis Suarez has identified a torn groin muscle problem as being responsible for disastrous stint at Arsenal.

The Spanish international joined Unai Emery’s Gunners on a five month loan deal back in January 2019, after making just two La Liga appearances in the first half of the campaign at the Camp Nou.

However, his time in North London was marred by injury, and a widespread view that he just was not cut out for English football – however Suarez has claimed his critics are wrong.

“I suffered what I thought was a torn groin muscle, which turned out to be a serious pelvic injury, he told Spanish radio station Cadena Ser as cited by Football Espana.

“I was in a lot of pain from that moment on at Arsenal, but I continued to train and putting up with it as best as I could.

“However both I, and Mr Emery, knew it was not right.

“From arriving at Arsenal, I was not at 50% fitness and after the 16th (of March), I was less than 50%.”

Photo Credit: Sky Sports