Jack Wilshere Quotes

I am a striker or at least a playmaker behind the front man, certainly not a wide man. But with Rome and Milan, I was only playing on the wings.

I am in my best position in the middle of the 4-2-3-1.

If you're talking about English football very few teams play 4-4-2 now: it's either 4-4-1-1, 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, they are the three major systems played throughout the Premier League.

I prefer playing in a 4-3-3.

I think the Brazil system is similar to the one we use at Liverpool, with lots of movement, players open out wide, and quality midfielders who join the attack and score goals.

I came from Ajax where you play 4-3-3 and as a winger they didn't want you to defend.

At United, we like to have wingers who give the team width and pace.

I just want to be able to be an attacking influence and have that effect further up the pitch; whether that's from an attacking midfield position or one of the wider positions coming in, I'm not too fussed.

I started the 1998 World Cup with Teddy Sheringham up front but always planned for Michael Owen to face Colombia in our final group game because they defended square and a quick striker would be able to exploit the space behind them.

I can be the only defensive midfielder and try and break up play. Or I can play a little more forward.

The way Guardiola plays suits me. It enables me to get into space in attacking positions.

Normally, midfielders only pass the ball, but I dribble as well.

I don't want Kylian to play like Neymar and keep the ball. Kylian is incredibly dangerous in the final move, and I want him to stay that way.

In England and Germany, perhaps, there is more of a focus on the physical side of the game, in breaking down the opposition's play, especially against the lower placed sides.

Italy do not only defend; they can attack, too. They have attacking qualities, and they create chances.

In the Premier League you need creative players to open games up.

When you play against a Spanish team, especially Madrid, it is quite an open game.

Arsenal wanted me to be a controller in the midfield, an Emmanuel Petit-type.

The strikers are the first defenders. And the first defender is the first striker to build from the back.

Muller is part No. 7 and part No. 9, a second striker. But in Ancelotti's system, there is no room for that type of player.

Harry Kane is a very complicated player to stop.

Nowadays midfielders definitely have to be complete players - you can't just be a destroyer, you have to build play too.

I like entertaining football but, at the same time, you can't concede goals. That's a tricky balance to find.

The only gambling I do is on a Saturday afternoon when I might put on two wingers or two strikers.

When I play against a winger, because I'm a winger myself, I understand what they are going to do before they try and go past me, so it makes it a lot easier for me.