I don't mind being criticised, because I am not that easy to knock down, and no-one can destroy me. But I am bothered by the stupid people who call me dirty, brainless, and an idiot. You don't say words like these to someone who you know nothing about.

Granit Xhaka

Categorized in : You Me I Am People

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

Granit Xhaka

stand i-am change people

The Premier League is not my goal but a childhood dream. It is a dream that could be fulfilled.

Granit Xhaka

childhood-dream childhood goal dream

Everyone fights for everyone else. If someone has a bad day, then the others are there for him. And if a player makes a mistake, then the others can compensate for that. Those sorts of things are crucial at this level, and it's really important that we perform as a unit.

Granit Xhaka

day bad bad-day mistake

I wouldn't change myself for anybody. I am who I am; people accept me, or they don't. I have my strengths and my weaknesses, which I can try to improve upon, of course. I'm still not the finished product.

Granit Xhaka

i-am myself me change

Personally, I can handle criticism, especially when it is deserved, and it's because my dad never, ever said 'Well done' to me. He did it on purpose so that I kept my feet on the ground.

Granit Xhaka

never me dad feet

I have learned one thing in my life: If I put too much pressure on myself, then everything goes wrong.

Granit Xhaka

my-life myself pressure life

When I was younger, even though I had a big brother, my parents would give me the house key every day.

Granit Xhaka

parents day me brother

Every Monday, we're asked to undertake jump tests to check the conditions of our muscles. There's nothing you can hide. Once a week, they do urine tests, and your body fat percentage is tested regularly. The doctors cover all bases.

Granit Xhaka

fat hide you body

I'm a person who thinks realistically but has dreams and fantasies as well.

Granit Xhaka

well person dreams who

Here in the Premier League, you have to give 100 per cent for the whole 90 minutes. It's not like after 70 minutes you can say, 'We're 2-0 up, so let's have some fun now' - that doesn't happen in the Premier League.

Granit Xhaka

happen say you fun

I'm going to give my best and not worry about transfer fees or anything like that.

Granit Xhaka

anything best like worry

My brother was always going to go in the direction of football. With me, it was more between school and football. Eventually, it worked out for both of us. We're pleased to have gone down that path. I'm proud that my parents always supported us, in good and in bad times. You need that.

Granit Xhaka

good me brother football

It's not like I played my first football match in England. For me, football is pretty much the same everywhere; the ball is round, but maybe tactically, things are different than at other clubs I've played for.

Granit Xhaka

things like me football

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.

Granit Xhaka

good me family relationship

Arsenal were really interested in me for a long time, and I think that I fit into the football Arsenal play.

Granit Xhaka

me time football long

There a lot of occasions when Albanians cause trouble, but then we are also very nice people. People sometimes forget that there are good people from the Balkans as well.

Granit Xhaka

good good-people sometimes people

When I went to Gladbach from Basel in 2012, I put a lot of pressure on myself at first, and it was too heavy. I will not put any pressure on myself at Arsenal, even though the transfer fee was high.

Granit Xhaka

high will myself pressure

Ottmar is a big coach and a good gentleman. I don't know if I'm a young Schweinsteiger; I'm another player. I am Granit Xhaka.

Granit Xhaka

i-am good know gentleman

The fans are amazing. I'm really happy here at Arsenal, and I'm going to do my best for this club.

Granit Xhaka

amazing best fans happy

London is really nice, and I'm really happy here, but, of course, I've moved here to play football and not just to be in the city.

Granit Xhaka

city nice happy football