Quotes

At the beginning of the season, you're still getting your fitness levels up, and those first few games are quite tough.

I stay away from desserts, but every now and then, I have a sticky toffee pudding or a cup of tea with some biscuits.

When you're wide, you're taught to try and get in at the far post so the ball doesn't go straight across, but from that central position, you can use your instinct where to go.

There's always pressure on Arsenal to go out and win games and win trophies.

I am quite a down-to-earth person.

I am not shy.

I am not the life and soul of the camp, but I do speak a lot throughout the team and to everyone.

All I have ever wanted to do is be a professional footballer.

When Bale first started at Tottenham, they were struggling to win whenever he played at left-back, but it is unbelievable how quickly things can change in football.

We have to take every game as it comes.

I'm a very motivated guy.

The Premier League used to be two teams going for the title, but it has come on a long way since then.

You have to give 100 percent in the Champions League, as you're up against the biggest teams.

Ever since I was a boy, I have wanted to be a professional footballer and to captain my country one day.

I hate being in the gym.

I am a central midfielder, and that's where I like to be.

The worst position you are in is when you are on the medical bed, and you can't get out on that training pitch.

I like to be involved as much as I can in the game, and in the middle, you're definitely the heartbeat of the team. When you're on the right, you can go minutes without seeing the ball, and that's a long time when you're out on the pitch.

I've always been able to get into the box, but in the past, I'd been very rash in my finishing; I wasn't clear with what I was doing in the final third. When it came to shooting, I was very rushed. I wasn't hitting the ball cleanly.

I get the normal stats, like tackles and pass completion and high-intensity runs. I get them after every game to see how similar they are to every game and to make sure I'm hitting the targets - or not too far away from them.

I much prefer playing in the centre of the park; that's where I feel comfortable.

We're professional footballers, so we have to go out there and perform as best we can and try and get the results that we want.

Manchester City are a big team, and Chelsea are a big team.

I'm a player who always gives 100 percent, regardless of what's going on.

It's always been something I've wanted to try and do, to take Wales to a major championship.