Kallstrom - his first Arsenal interview

Kim Kallstrom is an Arsenal player.

The experienced Swedish international completed a loan move from Spartak Moscow on Friday and, shortly afterwards, he gave his first interview to Arsenal.com.

Watch the video above and read on for the transcript:

Hi Kim, welcome to Arsenal. How does it feel to have joined the Club?
“It feels really nice. Arsenal is an amazing club with a lot of great players and a coach who has done really well here for a long time. I am so pleased to come here to learn as much as possible. I’m here to do my best for Arsenal and to help out the team, so we can achieve good results for the last part of the season.”

Can you tell us about the loan deal and how it came about?
“Yesterday I was in Abu Dhabi with Spartak Moscow and I got a phone call asking if I would like to go to Arsenal on loan for a few months. I thought ‘Absolutely, why not?’. So I quickly went back to the hotel, got my stuff and went to the airport as fast as I could! I flew into London today. Now I just want to settle down as fast as I can and prepare for the games ahead.”

Have you played against Arsenal and what are your views of the Club from the outside?
“I have never played against Arsenal but I have played against lots of English clubs. Like everyone, I feel this is a very big club that creates very good football to watch. I know that Arsenal have a lot of skilful players and can score lots of goals. Halfway through the season, they have done really well and put themselves in position to win some trophies, so I just want to come here and help Arsenal as much as I can until the end of the season.”

As you said, you are joining a side near the top of the table and going for trophies. Was that a particular attraction?
“No, not really. I just think that Arsenal are an exciting club, but being near the top of table makes it even more fun!”

You have more than 100 caps with Sweden. Do you think you can help the youngsters in particular at Arsenal?
“There are lots of players who can help. But having played a lot of international games is not a handicap. It is the other way around. With my experience I’ll just try to help out and we’ll see how it turns out.”

You have not played in England before. Do you think you can adapt to the Premier League quickly?
“Yes I hope to adapt to the Premier League quickly. But it is still football, we have our skills and we try to play the best way that we can. It is always easier when you are playing in a very competent team.”

Arsenal have had Swedish players in the past - for example Freddie Ljungberg, Seb Larsson and Rami Shaaban. Did they tell you about Arsenal on international duty?
“Of course. The previous Swedish players at Arsenal only had good things to say about the Club. For all of them there were a lot of nice memories. In Sweden and all around the world, Arsenal are a club with a very positive atmosphere about them.”

You have played at Emirates Stadium before, tell us about that.
“Emirates Stadium is an amazing stadium with a great atmosphere. I have played there with Sweden against Brazil in an international friendly and also for Lyon in the Emirates Cup a few years ago. So I am not a total stranger to Emirates Stadium and I just want to do my best for all the Arsenal fans.”

Finally, how eager are you to get going and make your Arsenal debut?
“Of course, all players in my situation would feel the same, to get going, get to know my new team-mates and just do my best on the football pitch.”