Quotes

It's quite strange looking down the list of players who've won the young player award in the past and then thinking I'm in there too now. There's some great names like Ryan Giggs, Craig Bellamy - and I can't miss out Chris Gunter - and it's a big boost to be included.

I need to be playing well, be involved in the game, and taking matches by the scruff of the neck.

It's nice to have it recognised that I'm doing well and to have people saying good things about me, but I try not to take too much interest. I just try to focus on my own game and what I need to do to improve.

When you haven't got the ball, while we're defending, sometimes I am not always where I need to be.

You have to take each game as it comes and not get ahead of yourself.

All I want to do is play football.

Everybody talks about the FA Cup being special, and now I know from personal experience it is really special to be involved in.

Central midfield has been my main position, but I'll play wherever the gaffer wants me.

Arsenal have a history of bringing through youngsters, giving them opportunities, and turning them into world-class players.

I'm an Arsenal player, and I want to remain an Arsenal player.

You would want to play in every game if possible, but I am realistic.

Arsene Wenger gives youngsters opportunities, and if he thinks that you're good enough, he'll play you.

It's a massive difference when you play in front of full stadiums; you can sense the buzz around the players, and it helps us get that extra one or two per cent that may be the difference in games.

It's always nice seeing a stadium when it's full, and as players, that's what we want to be playing in front of.

Winning just makes you more determined to go on and do more.

I'm quite reasonable and level-headed.

I live for football, and my real passion is just to go out there and express myself and show everybody what I'm capable of doing. It's what I've always known since I was a kid.

One day, I would like to go over to Spain to play just to see what it's like and to experience that.

I've said it once: I would love to someday play in La Liga at one of the greats. I see their league each week. It suits my style.

I think a top-class midfielder needs to be able to tackle, get up and down the pitch, pass, create opportunities, and score goals. That's why I try to do everything; that's what I judge my game on.

In all ways, I want to be better in all of these things that top midfielders can do.

I want to keep on improving as a player and become the best... one of the best midfielders in my position in the world.

You need to stay in that one position to get consistency that way. Different things are going through your mind when you are playing out right to when you are playing through the middle, so you can't get through that routine of where you want to play.

I came from a rugby school and rugby nation, but I fancied giving football a go, and luckily, it paid off.

The main factor in joining Arsenal was meeting with Arsene Wenger and to hear what his plans were for me.