Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker is happy with his first season in England.

As he recovers from an ankle injury that has sidelined him since February, the 27-year-old admits that the initial transition was difficult.

"Sometimes I felt like it was very hard, especially when I first came here," Mertesacker told Arsenal Player.

"It was tough to settle down [and I was] very quickly into the first squad. There was sometimes a lack of performance but I think you have to go through that to improve yourself.

"I am very comfortable here now, and very proud to be with this Club."