In a way, I've thrived on the competition, perhaps it has made a better player because of it.

I think about all my successes and failures and sometimes the failures stick in your head as much as the wins. But you do move on.

Having grown up watching Barcelona, Elen gets a bit annoyed watching me if I don't do flicks and tricks like Ronaldinho. I have to explain you can't do that all the time in a game!

But to be fair, Arsenal are a quality side. They're not where they are by chance - they are not top of the league and unbeaten because they are a bad team.

I had a fear of losing, a fear of what might happen if I had a bad game. Would I get dropped? I don't remember a lot of stuff in my career.

To be honest, I was Mum's boy. Always was, always will be.

I fancy our chances at the European Championships.