So there are mental demands as well as physical demands that come with playing high-intensity games every few days? Can that be draining in itself?
Yes, 100 per cent. It's not easy at all. You talk about the physical side, but the mental side is probably the more difficult part. Staying on it, staying prepared, staying locked in for a full season, when every game matters. It's not easy, but if you want to win, if you want to achieve stuff, this is the sacrifice and this is the cost. It’s what we've all bought into.
How did the pressure of playing in the FA Cup final last season, when Palace went into the game as underdogs, compare to the big games you have played here so far?
It felt similar in the sense that I have my own expectations, and I try not to take on other people's pressures. I try to focus on what I feel and what I want.
My mindset in the final last year was: 'I want to win this game. The opportunity to win is right there, and that's all that's on my mind, whether we're underdogs or whatever, it doesn’t matter'. It’s similar here at Arsenal, the expectations may be different to Palace, but my mindset is I'm going to do everything to win anyway.
You also had a season at QPR in 2018/19 When you were fighting against relegation, was that a different type of pressure?
I think being a younger player in that type of environment, I did take on the external pressure more, and the noise around me and all that type of stuff. So I probably learned a lot more from that. It was a valuable time because you realise that a lot of the stuff you're taking on board, aren't yours to take on, which is something I don't enjoy doing. So I've learned to stop doing that, to shut out the noise. Don't waste time listening to things that aren't going to serve you. Of course, people are going to have their opinions and criticise, but the good and the bad, you have to roll with it.
Is pressure all relative anyway, do you get home and your wife reminds you about the pressures of being a nurse?
Literally that man, yep! It's hilarious. I come home and I'm thinking about X, Y and Z and then I get a reality check with my wife, she works in ICU. Honestly, I love that part of my life so much. It just humbles you. I will still watch a lot of football at home, because I love it so much, but there will also be times when you need to be completely separate from it, which is good. Without knowing it you are able to bring everything down a bit, and lower your sensitivity to everything.
Talking of pressure, we have got the visit to Tottenham coming up, how much are you looking forward to that?
Yeah, that'll be a fun game for sure. These are games that make it so special, the north London derby so I’ll be looking forward to that. Though honestly, the focus is always just on the next game. It’s hard to look ahead because you are always preparing for the next one and that's it. More often than not, I don't know who we've got two games ahead.