Vito Mannone believes his time at Hull City gave him the mentality of a No 1 goalkeeper.
The Italian has started, and kept clean sheets, in each of Arsenal's last two games, having replaced the injured Wojciech Szczesny.
And Mannone insists that playing regularly in the Championship has played a part in his assured performances for the Gunners.
"When you’re No 1, you feel important and like the happiest man in the world," he told Arsenal Player. "That sort of feeling gives me the chance to go onto the pitch with confidence. I had some good games [at Hull] and it was a great experience for me.
"I knew the place already because I went before [in 2010/11]. I found the same team-mates and the same team. I found a good manager in Nick Barmby and I thought I could train well and be the No 1."
Mannone created quite a reputation for himself at Hull, at one point keeping a record-breaking six consecutive clean sheets - and nine in 11 games. Now the 24-year-old wants to use that experience as he fights for a first-team place at Emirates Stadium.
"The Hull defence was good and we all played together and tried to get better every time we went on the pitch," he said. "For me the best thing was playing senior football and playing consecutive games and getting the mentality of the No 1."
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