Theo Walcott says playing “with a free spirit” has helped him to reach the top.
The 26-year-old is in his 10th full season at Arsenal and has made more first-team appearances (306) than any other player at the club.
Walcott says he has his family to thank for his development and the forward is determined to continue improving.
"I’m still looking to learn from others because I always want to push myself to the highest possible level"
“I've always played with a free spirit, I've always tried to have time for people and respect others,” he told Arsenal Player. “Also I'm a family man. That's who I am.
“I’m always looking to learn from other people and I've continued to do that. That's made me into a better person and a better player.
“I’m still looking to learn from others because I always want to push myself to the highest possible level.
“From day one my family have been making sacrifices for me. When I was really young they always took me to training sessions at Southampton because they knew how important that was to me.
“My family have always been there for me and so supportive. Then when I joined Arsenal, and all the hype that was around it, my family helped me settle down in a house and sort out all the things that I needed to do, even though I was just 16.
“I had to grow up quickly, and they helped with that.”
READ THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH THEO IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE ARSENAL MAGAZINE
The September edition of the Arsenal Magazine is out now
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