Per Mertesacker

When you step up as a young talent, you need to challenge the old lads.

Arsenal is one of the top teams in Europe and I have been looking out for Arsenal since I got my first jersey when I was ten or 12.

There are so many people around young kids nowadays it can make it very tough and difficult - people who think they are going to care for those kids but do the opposite.

You spend some time with kids, you always take something with you.

Sometimes as a player you have a different view and you can't believe what we did as a defensive unit.

I think it is so beneficial to English and British football when youngsters see different cultures and environments.

I was with Bremen in a good situation in the Bundesliga. I was the captain and was involved in everything to do with the club.

I loved the Olympics.

My home town called me a citizen of honour. So I'm a special citizen now.

We have to present ourselves as a unit, no matter what happens. That is what Arsenal stands for.

Suarez is like a cheeky boy, he looks like a cheeky boy who can really switch on and off how he wants to be, so that is really something. When he is on the pitch, what is going on around him doesn't bother him.

Sometimes I get the feeling that some parents really think their son can pay for their pension, especially being in London.