Versatility is an extra string to a player's bow.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
If I hadn't wanted to become a footballer, Dad wouldn't have made me do it.
Sticking to a routine helps you get in the zone for the match. I always put my left shinpad on before my right. When I go out onto the pitch, I take three hops on my left leg - but I don't know why I started. I must have seen Messi do it or something.
All players go through injuries in their career, but I wouldn't wish it on anyone.
Every time I come and try to work hard in training, and when I get opportunities, try to work hard and do the things the boss asks us to do.
I am really close to my mum. She always made me do my school and make sure I got all my grades. She is a physiotherapist, which is a massive help to me, so in terms of nutrition, she was the one who made sure I was eating all the right food, and I can only thank her that she kept me fit and healthy.
Obviously, there's times in your career when people doubt you.
When there's a lot of talk about a team that should or could be winning things, and it's not happening, it can become a little bit frustrating.
To be picked for your country at any stage is a massive honour, and to be at a huge tournament likes the Euros is such a bonus.
I just say I'd like to be an attacking midfielder.
Obviously, everyone goes in the gym and does the biceps bells and the bench press, but when you're injured, you work on your core, your pelvic floor, your groins, on glutes, and muscles you wouldn't really know about. It does make you a stronger player all round in terms of injury prevention.
You are all mates off the pitch, but on it, you are all competing for places. I think that only makes a healthier squad - more players fighting for positions can only mean everyone has got to step their game up.
I am the type of person who relishes the chance to stand up and perform under pressure; I have had to do that my whole career.
There is always room for improvement, and I have always grown up knowing however well I have done, there is always something I could have done better.
I play where I'm told to play.
At Southampton, my dad was the academy coach at under-11 level.
I think friendship in football is a massive part of the team.
You can have one good game, but the next one could be a bad one.
Everyone in the Premier League feels pressure to get results. It is part of being a footballer.
FA Cup or league - we look to win every game.
I just want to be able to be an attacking influence and have that effect further up the pitch; whether that's from an attacking midfield position or one of the wider positions coming in, I'm not too fussed.
If I've had a bad game, I know I've had a bad game, and I don't mind hearing it.
You have to believe in yourself. If you don't, no one else will.
Playing in a team like Arsenal helps massively having all of these players around you giving you advice. When they are playing well, you feel comfortable, and it helps you to play well, too.
I want to thank the Arsenal fans who've always supported me. But I can't apologise for my decision to leave. I want to get more out of myself. I felt the main thing was taking myself out of my comfort zone. That's why Liverpool shouted out for me.
If there's a shot on, I like to take the opportunity as well, and I like passing the ball - which is one of the reasons I came to Arsenal. But I'm a player that likes to come up with an end product - whether that's a goal, an assist, or helping the team to get good results.
When I've watched teams that play with five at the back and wing-backs, I've looked at their starting positions and positions out of possession because that comes a little bit more unnaturally to me.
My dad had a soccer school that he used to run, the Mark Chamberlain Soccer Academy, I used to go to that for two years until the age of seven.
I think I play with no fear: I run at players regardless of who they are and try to make a difference.
It's nice when you know the crowd are on your side. I can only repay them by working my hardest when I do get on and trying to impress them.
Spain have got a big influence from Real Madrid and Barcelona, and when you watch Spain play, it's almost like watching Barcelona or Real Madrid at times.
When my dad was still playing, he was away for five years on and off, so it just used to be me and my mum at home until my little brother came along when I was five.
I'd be lying if I said there weren't times when I hadn't lost a little bit of confidence. But the people around me, close to me, were the ones to tell me I'd been playing slightly differently, not as confidently as I had been.
You want to play in finals, and they don't come much bigger than the Champions League final.
I've got a lot of very fond memories playing football from the ages of four.
It takes time to settle in and learn a new formation and style of play.
Whenever you're playing on the pitch, you have to step up to the plate and perform.
To do well at a new competition, you need a lot of good performances.
I'm so excited to be joining Arsenal. It's a fantastic club, and I'm really looking forward to the opportunity of playing football at the highest level.
Arsenal have a great manager in Arsene Wenger, top quality players and an attractive style of play. These were all important factors in me choosing to sign for Arsenal.
In the long run, it's probably better to tie yourself down to one position and really become established in one area to be as good as you can in that position.
Throughout your career, you will always be asked to play slightly different positions here and there, and obviously, the needs of the team come first, so if you need to fill in at a different position, you'll be expected to do that.
It's important for any player to be versatile enough to be able to play in different positions.
I've played so many games of football now, and even though it is at a higher level, at the end of the day, football is football. You are just playing with better players.
A lot of people don't see, when we lose and go through tough times, how upset and disappointed we are.
Ever since I've been at Arsenal, we've had numerous quality players, and the whole squad had been very strong. It just seemed that in the big games we came up short sometimes, and you wonder why.
To beat City twice is no easy feat.
All that I can say is that, from my point of view, our manager Arsene Wenger is an unbelievable man off the pitch and as a manager.
I'm quite confident to take people on - if there's a one against one, I'll definitely take it on if I feel I can get a cross in or set someone up.
My senior school didn't play football. It was a rugby and cricket school, and as I was on a sports scholarship, I was forced to play rugby.
