HARRY Clarke says he would jump at the chance to return to Oldham Athletic next season if the opportunity arose.

The young Arsenal defender has impressed on his season-long loan at Boundary Park, making 33 appearances since his October move from the Emirates.

Clarke revealed that people questioned whether he could hack it in League Two, having never played in the Football League before. But the 20-year-old feels he will be returning to his parent club a better player for his experiences with Latics under both Harry Kewell, who signed him, and new boss Keith Curle, and he is delighted to have proved his doubters wrong.

“It’s gone much better than I expected to be honest with you. I’ve played over 30 games now so to come here, under both managers, and improve – they’ve both shown faith in me so it’s been good,” said Clarke, who has progressed through Arsenal’s Academy to Under 23s level.

“When I first got the message that I was coming up here, we were at the bottom of League Two when I first came, people were saying ‘it’s going to be an absolute dogfight’ and people were saying I wasn’t ready for it because I’d been in the youth team, they said I didn’t have the mentality.

“They doubted me and it gives me a bit of fire in my belly just to prove them wrong.”

And a recent spell at right wing back, having played alongside captain Carl Piergianni in a back three since Curle took charge, has added another string to his bow.

“It’s been a chance for me to show that I am quicker than a lot of people say,” Clarke told the club website.

“It was a good experience (at right wing back). I found it a bit difficult in the first 20 minutes (at Harrogate) trying to find my position because it was new to me.

“But playing alongside Pidge has been good with his experience. He’s been coaching me and telling me knew things, like tricks of the trade, so that’s been good.”

Clarke has also been grateful for the support he has received from Latics fans. Despite not being able to play in front of them this season he has developed a good rapport with them through social media.

“To be fair I did have a warm welcome and no-one’s been really getting on my back, which has been nice and it’s a good sign,” he said.

“I haven’t managed to meet the fans obviously and that’s a shame but across social media they’ve been really nice. I’ve been getting messages and things like that, so it’s good.”

Of his overall experience, Clarke added: “I didn’t expect to play that many games. I only expected to play 10 maybe, I don’t know, because it was such a last-minute thing. But it’s been amazing, I couldn’t ask for a better bunch of boys. If I could come back next year... I don’t know what their plan is for next year but it has been amazing.”