Athlete

Obviously, I was disappointed to lose the captaincy. I was very proud to be captain of my country.

I think there's always pressure at Arsenal to win trophies - it's nothing new - and to us, as players, we know what we are capable of doing.

I'm not one that is the life and soul of the party, but I do speak up when there is something to say.

Hopefully I can be one of the best midfielders in the world. That's what drives me on: to try and achieve that and to try and go on and win many things.

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

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

I am quite a down-to-earth person.

As a kid, I was always pretending to score the goal in the FA Cup final, and I managed to live my dream.

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 watch a lot of golf, but I'm only a fair-weather player.

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

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

Being a midfielder, I need to get up and down, whether it's to get back and defend or get away from my opposite number. Extra effort in training makes all the difference.

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

I started off playing rugby league as well as union. I switched between fly-half and wing, but I preferred to play fly-half. I liked to be at the heart of everything. I liked to be involved.

I give everything when I'm on the pitch. When I'm at the training ground, working in the gym or whatever, I always give everything I've got.

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 think there's always pressure at Arsenal to win trophies - it's nothing new - and to us, as players, we know what we are capable of doing.

The only way you can get match fitness is by playing games.

I try to give my best for the team, help the team, and try and go out there and play the best I can for myself as well.