Frimpong - It feels so good to be back
by Rob Kelly
Emmanuel Frimpong has spoken of his relief to finally be playing again after seven months on the sidelines with a knee injury.
The combative midfielder ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee while on loan at Wolves in February, having already experienced a similar problem in his left knee in 2010.
But the 20-year-old returned to action with a 20-minute cameo in the Capital One Cup third-round victory over Coventry on Wednesday, and he was delighted to feature once again.
"It feels good to be back after so much hard work in the gym, and I'm just pleased to be playing football again," he told Arsenal Player.
"I'm a footballer, all I want to do is get out there and help my team, whether I am fit enough to play or fit enough to be in the squad. I just want to be out there with the lads and helping Arsenal progress.
"[The crowd's reaction] makes me feel good obviously and shows that the fans appreciate me here. That is always a nice gesture and I am just happy that I went on to help the team win the game."
After so long on the sidelines, Frimpong said he was keen to prove his fitness to Arsène Wenger by making - and receiving - some robust challenges.
"I think it is quite important when you come back from a big injury. You want people to knock you about a bit. I got one, but I wanted more!" he said.
Watch the full interview with Emmanuel on Arsenal Player now.
[Thursday, September 27, 2012]