Arsenal goalkeeper Damian Martinez is delighted with his first team step up this season.

Martinez's performances have been rewarded with two appearances on the first-team bench - against Shrewsbury and Leeds - and he is keen for taste of the senior side before the season's end.

"I have been training all my life and I am ready to play," Martinez told Arsenal.com.

"Gerry [Peyton, the goalkeeper coach,] said to me that I would be on the bench for the Carling Cup and then I was there for the FA Cup too. He said to me: 'If you have to come on, are you ready?', and I said 'Yes, I am ready'.

"I am still looking forward to being on the bench for a few more games, trying to do my best in the reserves and then be ready for the first team. These are my ambitions for the next two months."