West Ham midfielder Jack Collison admits he's been shocked by his progress this season.

Earning his first cap with Wales U21 was followed by his Premiership debut against Arsenal this week and the 19 year-old told WHUTV: "He (Alan Curbishley) told me to warm up because Freddie (Ljungberg) was struggling.

"I was a little bit shocked and then he's called me over and said 'you're going on'. I didn't have much time to think. I just had to stick my shirt on and I was on the pitch.

"He told me to get close to [Cesc] Fabregas and try and stop them playing but obviously when you come to Arsenal, a team like that has got so much movement and interchanges. It is hard but I did my best."

He added: "It was a little bit of a shock to be involved.

"The gaffer told me earlier at the hotel so I had a little bit of time to prepare but I didn't expect to come on in the first half. It is just a dream really to come on at the Emirates."