I'd no longer be the same player without my rigorousness, and certainly not the player Arsenal wanted.

In football, you just have to develop yourself.

Actually, it's normal when you come to a new club and country: you need to get used to the language, the philosophy of the team, the squad, the coach.

Here at Basel is where I made my first professional steps. I came up and grew up through the FC Basel school.

I've had four beautiful years at Monchengladbach and owe the club a lot.

My goal is to become a key player in one of the ten best clubs in the world and become a leader there.

The expectations are high, so we know: If we do not meet them, there is criticism. We have high expectations ourselves. We are not happy with fourth, third, or second, either.

Arsenal is Arsenal. It's not a small club; it's a very big club, and it's like a family. It's very good for me because I love my family, and to have another family here is very good.

Each month from our income - we have a separate account, obviously - we give 80 percent of it to our parents back home.

We are young; we are naive with money. Money can go fast. If anyone thinks he is something better just because he has more money in the account, then he can very quickly fall on your face.

When you want too much, you don't usually achieve much.

I heard my new team-mates saying, 'We have got to hope that we don't go down.' I thought to myself, 'What kind of a mentality is that?'

I've picked up quite a few yellow cards in the last few years - a few reds, too. That was the case as a youth player as it is now. But I don't see it as a problem. That's how I play. If you take that away, then I wouldn't be where I am now. So I don't think the yellow cards or the red cards are too big of an issue.

I guess I'd say I'm quite an aggressive player. Fair but aggressive, someone who likes the tough stuff.

When I think about a mid-table club like Everton spending £150 million during the summer, I am lost for words.

I am a regular for one of the biggest clubs in Europe, and I want to progress still further.

I am still young; I am still fresh, and I want more.

I don't think Gladbach are on the same level as Arsenal.

I am in an outstanding city, an outstanding club. The only thing that Arsenal has been missing is a league title.

Lots of people talk about the character of our team, that it's not right and that we need to do more. But we always show that we can come back.

It could be very costly if you don't have a clear mind during a tournament.

Individual quality doesn't decide games for us but the whole team.

I have a good relationship with the Albanian fans. But when you are called a traitor - that is such a harsh word. Most of the Albanian fans respect me. But 'traitor' is unacceptable considering the background of my family.

I can't stand people who are backward. I am honest, straightforward. I don't like to pretend. And I will not change either.