Nacho Monreal believes the physical nature of English football has made him a better player.

The Spain international joined Arsenal in January 2013 and has gone on to establish himself in the side that has won back to back FA Cups.

Monreal is pleased with the way he has developed and feels he is a better player now than when he arrived in the Premier League.

"The fans like seeing box-to-box play and lots of direct runs, so I think on a physical level I've improved" Nacho Monreal

“I've always said that it's a different type of football here,” he told Arsenal Player. “In Spain there is more of a focus on tactics, technique and positioning, whereas in England it is more physical.

“The fans like seeing box-to-box play and lots of direct runs, so I think on a physical level I've improved because you have to get used to English football. I've certainly got better in that regard.

“The Premier League is one of the most popular leagues in the world and in Spain virtually everyone follows the Premier League as it's very entertaining for the viewer.

“There are lots of staff working for the Spanish national team who watch lots of English matches and come here to watch us, so I don't think it has much of an effect on my chances of being selected.”