YOUNG Arsenal striker Jay Simpson is more than happy to fight for his place at the Emirates Stadium this season.

The 19-year-old spent all of last year on-loan at league One outfit Millwall where he proved to be a huge hit. And while he would welcome a similar move during the current campaign, he is more than happy to compete alongside the likes of Robin van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor to make his mark with the Gunners.

“The loan spell definitely helped me a lot on the physical side,” he told Arsenal.com. “My ball retention with defenders behind me has really improved. In League One, they like to get into you and give you a kick. It was a very good experience for me and I feel it’s something that I’ve brought back to Arsenal.

“It was really valuable experience going away with the first-team [in pre-season] too. Training out there with some of the best players in the world was really intense and it helped me a lot with my fitness. It was a privilege to be out there, just knowing the Boss is taking note of you.

“If the Boss would like me to go out on loan again this season then I will do. If he needs me to stay I’ll stay. Like everybody, I just want to play, especially after playing all of last year. But it’s down to him and I’m happy to be at Arsenal.”