Quotes from Theo Walcott

You want to play in the massive games. We all want to be out there, doing well for the country.

I work on crossing the ball at pace. That's something that is not easy. And my first touch has improved, as has my understanding of the game.

As a little kid, I wasn't even interested in football. The first time I played, I was nine, and I volunteered to go in goal, thinking it would be exciting to save penalties. In fact, it was really boring.

I like going to New York because I don't get recognised there - although, the first time I was there, I'd only been in the city an hour when the tallest guy came up to me on Fifth Avenue and said my name, gave me a high-five, and then just walked off.

I don't want to be known as a super sub. But you have got to be ready to come off the bench and make an impact if you're not in the starting team.

I want to play piano. My girlfriend loves the piano.

A coach was managing the Newbury team, and he wanted me to play for his local team, and from there, I did it at district level, and then I got picked for Southampton.

I remember my first Arsenal training session and Sol Campbell going straight through me. I had a bit of a bruise, but I got straight back up and carried on. I didn't want to show them that it hurt.

The Champions League is massive. I've had so much experience. I'm only 23, and yet I've played so much in the Champions League, and not many players my age would have had that experience.

With Marco Silva, the way he coaches players, he has that knowledge: he wants the best out of you, basically. He wants something out of you all the time, and having seen him work in a short space of time, it's only going to improve.

I played golf in Dubai with my cousin and brother, but I wouldn't do it again because I was dripping with sweat in the heat and wasn't able to last the whole round.

I feel a lot stronger than I ever have done since I've had kids, because you have to be: you don't want them to see any weakness.

I travel pretty regularly throughout the football season with Arsenal and England, but we don't really get to explore. In the summer months, I get about four or five weeks off, and then I'll jet away to either the south of France, Dubai, or Italy.

It can't be too bad being one of the top goalscorers at Arsenal in the Premier League, mainly as a winger as well, and three FA Cups.

You want to look back on your career and see what you've achieved, not just have a fancy car and a big house.

When I was 11, I was invited to be a ballboy at Stamford Bridge when Chelsea played Liverpool. I was a Liverpool fan, so I was gutted that they lost 2-0. Afterwards, I was introduced to the players - I found it terrifying.

I wasn't playing at Arsenal, and I was frustrated. I was doing everything I could do, looking after myself, scoring, and playing in the Europa League then when the cup came, but it wasn't enough for me, and I wanted more.

The problem with my shoulders was something I inherited from my dad. The left one would pop out and then pop back in - absolute agony - during almost every game last season, so I had surgery to put it right last summer.

It doesn't matter if you start the game: as long as you finish it well and the team wins, that's the main thing.

People probably don't realise, but you often train harder when you're injured than when you're fit.

I tend to wear the moulds in training, but I'll always wear studs in games, as I feel like I get more grip.

The game must have been past my bed-time.

Thierry Henry, without a doubt - he's an absolute legend.

When I was 10 years old, my teacher got us to imagine our future. I drew a timeline of the rest of my life. I had just started playing football, so I drew pictures of me as a professional footballer.