It seems like people want to blame me for everything. Whenever any issue arises, I'm said to have been involved even if I've had nothing to do with it. That's why I always focus on what I know, which is playing football, and try to be very careful with what I say because people always try and twist things.

One of the Arsenal players came up to me afterwards and said it had been an honor to be on the same pitch as me. I thought, My God, that is a great thing to say when your team has just lost.

I had said I didn't mind which shirt I played in, but coming from Diego, № 10 is very special.

I'm lucky to be part of a team who help to make me look good, and they deserve as much of the credit for my success as I do for the hard work we have all put in on the training ground.

From the age of three, I played every day-morning, afternoon and night.

Something deep in my character allows me to take the hits and get on with trying to win.

Of course money takes that worry out of your life and enables you to provide for your family - but if it was playing professional football for free or choose another living, then I would choose football every time.