Arsenal defender Rob Holding believes the step up from academy football to senior football is mental just as much as it is physical.

The 21-year old moved from Bolton to the Emirates last summer for £2m.

He experienced an up and down season, but thrived when forced to play consistently in the latter stages of the competition.

"I think your attitude, how much effort you put in, how much you want it. It comes to maturity, how fast you grow personally [is important].

"You have to give some time to the players who may not mature so fast but still might have the technical ability - and I think that's what they do here.

"The step up from academy football to senior football, where people's jobs are on the line, it brings a different pressure. It is a difficult time.

"I had a difficult year at Bolton but personally I just kept performing as best as I could and it led to the move to Arsenal. It is difficult to make the step up but you've just got to be prepared physically and mentally to put the work in.

"It's about enjoying playing football and not thinking about what happens if you get dropped out of the team and you're not involved. It's about enjoying football and wanting to play.

"If you have that passion, you'll have the drive to go on and hopefully get to the first team."