Arsenal striker Benik Afobe is delighted to be back from serious knee injury.
Afobe credits senior teammates Emmanuel Frimpong and Jack Wilshere for helping him with his rehab.
“People see Manny and think he is always laughing and joking, but he sat me down and told me that it was not going to be that bad,†the 20-year-old told arsenal.com.
“He pointed out that he had managed to come back and it really helped me a lot. Jack [Wilshere] was also a big help. He was out for 18 months, and he knows what it is like.
''Some days I would say to him that I felt a bit down or was experiencing some pain, and he would reassure me that it was normal, that it doesn’t click straight away, that I had to keep working hard on my rehab and talk to the physios.
“Those two were so important, not just because of the injuries they had but also due to the fact they are two of my closest mates at the Club.
'Having family and good friends around you is the most important thing, other than the rehab. If you have negative people around you or your mind is not right, there is no chance of you getting back to your best.â€