Aaron Ramsey has said that recovering from a double leg break took him longer than expected.

The Arsenal midfielder sustained the injury almost three years ago following a challenge from Ryan Shawcross.

The 22-year-old told reporters: "The determination and the professionalism that you need to go through that, all the hours in the gym, is quite tough. I have got through that now. It has taken me a bit longer than I would have liked, but I am happy now where I am, and hoping to improve.

"It did take it out of me that injury, and hopefully that will have only been a minor hiccup in the long run when I look back on my career.

"I am hungry to keep that shirt and have proven that with the way I have been playing of late. Hopefully I can keep my place in the team."

The injury left Ramsey on the sidelines for nine months.