DIMITRI PAYET

Speaking to the coach has been my number-one criterion at every club I've played for to find out what he expects from me, how he will make me improve, and that he'll play me.

If I'm forced to leave West Ham, it will be done according to the rules - the club will have its share of the cake.

After Le Havre, I became the youngest player in the first division in Reunion. I made my debut at 16. That's how I got spotted by Nantes.

I have kids, so I can understand the image that footballers have. They are fans of some players; I see in their eyes. They admire and try to imitate their gestures, their words, their celebrations. They love Ronaldo and Messi. Since Euro 2016, though, they have no right to pronounce the name of Ronaldo!

Arsenal are a special club for many French supporters. I watched them a lot, especially during the 'Invincible' era when they had Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Sylvain Wiltord, and Robert Pires.

That's the difficulty with free-kicks, as you get one, maybe two, and that's why it's tough. You have to score.

Many players in the French squad play in the Premier League or have played in the Premier League, so I knew about the level.

I think that with West Ham, it was more complicated for me. It happened naturally; there was urgency to leave West Ham.

I'm living a boyhood dream.

I still try to treat football as a game even if there are now other considerations at stake, especially economic ones.

The number of French players Arsenal have brought through is very impressive, and many of the players who arrived, especially the young ones, were unknown when they arrived to the general public.

I don't close the door to anything.

I have nothing against Ronaldo.

As long as I can play at a certain level, that's what I'll do.

West Ham was the best choice for me on the back of my best season in Ligue 1. I don't think there was much room left for progress in Ligue 1.

When I joined Lille, they had a new stadium at Marseille. It was the same, so I know how important it is to clubs when they move home.

Not everybody has the chance to grow up on an island.

I have very special memories of the West Ham fans.

When I am happy on the pitch, it's because everything is going well off it.

I think the season I had playing as a kid against men in Reunion toughened me up a lot and taught me how to cope with hits.

I'm usually a No. 10, and the thing I most enjoy is helping my team-mates and creating goal-scoring chances for them.

When it's complicated at family level, that can stop you from being at ease in your job.

I feel more satisfaction - and attach greater value - to providing assists then scoring myself.

I am used to moving homes in football, and it seems to be a recurring theme in my career.

I played for four different clubs in France; I played for Marseille, which is one of the biggest clubs.