Arsene Wenger says Lauren’s character made him “one of the best full backs in the world”.

The Cameroonian international was a key member of the Invincibles squad, and his coolness under pressure made him a perfect penalty taker.

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Wenger signed Lauren as a midfielder but converted him to a right-back, but admits it was not easy to convince him to make the move.

“He was, for me, one of the best full backs in the world,” the boss told Arsenal Player. “Not only because of his quality but he was a character, a real character. He was scared of nobody and when you needed the nerves you could count on Lauren.

“When he arrived here I had many discussions with him as I needed to convince him that he can become a right back and an outstanding right back. For a while, because he was a strong character, he didn’t accept it.

“Suddenly he understood that and I think that in Lauren and Ashley Cole, we had the best two full backs in the world.”