Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson has revealed that he is pleased with the way he has adapted to life in the Premier League.

The 20-year-old made the step up from League One leaders Charlton Athletic to the Emirates Stadium last summer.

Having conceded that he struggled with the alteration in quality during the early stages of his Arsenal career, Jenkinson now believes that he is more comfortable in his surroundings.

"I didn't start how I would have liked to, but an honest assessment would be that as I have progressed, got more minutes under my belt and trained with the boys, I definitely feel like I have improved a lot," Jenkinson told the club's official website. "It was a very steep learning curve for me. I believed I was capable of playing at the highest level, and sometimes it is about getting seen by the right people at the right time.

"I have had some tough times but I feel like I have come out of it a bigger and better person, and a better player.

"In a football career you are going to have ups and downs and tough times, but people have told me it is about how you respond to those tough times that will make or break you as a footballer."

Jenkinson has made seven league appearances this season.