Colchester United left-back Cohen Bramall says now is the time for him to use the knowledge he gained at Arsenal to good effect.

Having left the the Premier League side at the end of last season, Bramall is now plying his trade in League Two with the U's, having trained with a host of international stars during his two-and-a-half year spell with the Gunners.

The 23-year-old has already shown his talent in both defence and attack for the U’s as an enterprising left-back, having joined them in August.

Having also displayed his expertise taking set-pieces for John McGreal’s side, it’s no real surprise that Bramall points to his experience of training at Arsenal as a valuable period of learning in his early professional career.

“It was either Nacho Monreal or Sead Kolasinac playing at left-back when I was there,” said Bramall, who made a dream move to Arsenal from Northern Premier League side Hednesford Town for £40,000 in January, 2017.

“Kolasinac was more of a wing-back but Monreal was more of a left-back so I watched and analysed Nacho's game a lot more.

“Playing with those kind of players has helped me be more defensive minded and not to get forward sometimes too early or too high – they both helped me a lot.

“I like getting higher up the pitch and trying to get as many goals or assists as I can and getting involved in the final third a bit more.

“I’ve been a left winger and a right winger and when I’ve got the ball, I’m always looking forward as much as I can.

“I feel I can help the team at left-back as I know that if I get forward, I know for a fact that I can get back and recover because the speed is always there.

“There were also players like (Mesut) Ozil at Arsenal, who were great with their set-pieces.

“I never trained with Santi (Cazorla) but he would take free-kicks and corners from left and right.

“I always looked up to players like that and a lot of the players at Arsenal were amazing at taking set-pieces.

“The more opportunities I get to take corners and free-kicks, the more opportunity there is of me getting an assist or even a goal.

“I’ve always been a good crosser of the ball and I’ve always practised my technique with my free-kicks.

“I’m 23 now and I just wanted to come to a team where I can play more games, get more experience and get games under my belt.

“I want to have a good strong season and do well.

“I think we can easily get automatic promotion or the play-offs at Colchester.

“The team is very strong and I’d probably say it’s the strongest in the league.”

Bramall is hoping for a recall to Colchester’s starting line-up for their home clash with Morecambe tomorrow.

The former Birmingham City loanee was on the bench for the U’s 2-1 defeat at Crawley Town, last weekend.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge,” said Bramall, who has made eight appearances for the U's so far, this season.

“It’s a case of us staying mentally strong and keeping focused on Saturday and then the games after that.

“We had a bad result at Crawley in the league and all of the boys know that.

“But i’s been a good week’s training and I’m ready to go.

“Having a knock impacted me a little bit but I came back fitter and stronger and the team has been performing well.

“Everyone has got a bit of competition in the team and it’s very, very strong.”