Arsene Wenger has opened the January transfer window by securing the acquisition a player whom many will deem as one for the future.

The Arsenal manager has been known over the years to be an advocate of nurturing young players into stars.

And Wenger has certainly had a shot at another project by bringing in Konstantinos Mavropanos for a fee of only £2.2m from PAS Giannina.

The 20-year-old is unlikely to enjoy much first team football in his first season as an Arsenal player but Mavropanos has admitted that the ‘honour’ of playing for the club is something he could not turn down.

“From my heart I would like to thank the Arsenal officials for the great honour they’ve shown because they’ve placed me in the family of a huge club with millions of fans all over the world.” the defender said

“I am very touched. I will give all my strength with my performances to repay this honour and trust in order to make the club and its supporters happy.

“I had the luck to make my first professional steps at PAS Giannina, a club that has a tradition to offer young players the opportunity for a big step in their careers.

“[PAS owner Giorgios] Christovasilis, [PAS coach Giannis] Petrakis, my team-mates and the entire city of Ioannina stood by my side. I’m grateful and thank you to all.

“I’d also like to publicly thank my agent [Konstantinos Farras] for all of his actions over the last few months which have brought today’s outcome. From now I am a Gunner!”

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