Arsenal goalkeeper Vito Mannone has insisted that he has earned his place in the first team.

The 24-year-old Italian has made four Premier League appearances this season because of injuries to Wojciech Szczesny and Lukas Fabianski, and is now a contender for a regular spot between the posts.

"It was a good lesson to go out on loan [to Hull City in 2010 and 2012] and perhaps learn things the hard way," said Mannone.

"Nothing was given easily to me. I've worked hard, and I thought I did enough last season for something to happen - whether at this club or another.

"When you do the maximum you can in training and on the football pitch, you feel that something positive must happen, and that's how things are at the moment."

Mannone joined Arsenal from Italian club Atalanta in 2005.