Arsenal fullback Carl Jenkinson is eager to make up for lost time.

The right back has not played since the West Brom game on November 5 after suffering a stress fracture in his back, but he is now closing on a return to full training.

"Overall I felt the injury was a shame really because I was really getting into my stride before I got injured," he told Arsenal.com. "I was gutted about that but I am almost back now and I am just looking forward to showing people what I can do to impress in an Arsenal shirt.

"It's been strange because I got my chance at Charlton because of an injury. The first-choice right back at Charlton at the time was a lot older than me, he got injured and I took my chance.

"Now I've experienced the other side and it has been a bit of a nightmare, knowing I would have probably got an awful lot of chances in that time.

"Every time I pull on an Arsenal shirt it's an honour and to think that I have probably missed out on a good 10 games that I could have played in has just been frustrating. But at the same time it's enabled me to take a step back and watch and learn.

"I have had different experiences with injuries but I am close to fitness now so hopefully the future will be brighter."