Andre Schurrle Quotes

As a youngster as I was a centre-half, I liked being on the ball and coming out from the back. I took chances so I got put in midfield and then I was playing all over the pitch so adjusted wherever I needed to play.

It actually took me a year to learn how to play running back - to understand what they were doing defensively and then what our guys were doing every single play.

I know when I step into midfield I have to sharpen my feet up and be more aware of what's around me, at centre back it's more about timing, positioning and communication.

German football is very different to football in South America.

I started as a winger and played there for about six years but when I came to Arsenal they told me 'now you have to play me at the back' and everything just changed.

I stay in the middle and my team-mates can go to attack.

In my time at Milan, the club played with a 4-3-1-2 formation, and I was the player behind the two strikers. At Real, I play behind three. There is a greater defensive obligation, but I try to work around the area.

English football is different: always on the attack. Although one thing is clear. The best football is the Italian.

I've played as a striker all my life. To play on the right or the left is always difficult.

I prefer defensive midfielder because I know my job when I play there. More things are in front of you.

Tactically, I know how to play on one side even though I remain convinced that I can play better through the middle.

The interaction between the goalkeeper and the back four has to be top to compete in the Premier League.

I played as a 10 and, in Sweden, they let me take as many touches as I could. All of a sudden, I come to Arsenal and I have to play one and two touches - it was a little bit alien to me.

In Brazil, we play quite open, but I'm doing my best to adapt as quickly as I can.

It's helped to develop me on the pitch, knowing all the positions, but also it's a good asset to have, that versatility. I'm able to move if I'm needed.

A keeper has to adjust his game to the team. If the team moves further up, he has to do the same. It's nothing I've invented.

If I can't help the team offensively, I can help defensively.

It's a different style the way the German players play. I think the English players like to play a lot of one and two touch and we can find each other in the pockets.

Someone said that my coaching is a combination of Milan's defensive discipline and the Dutch propensity for attacking football, and I think that is a fair description.

To be useful in defence, to win back the ball, you don't always have to go sliding into the tackle. It's also about your positioning; sometimes all you have to do is take a step back.

Scoring goals looks nicer and much more attractive than a last-ditch tackle for younger people.

Casemiro has to cover the gaps left by everyone. That's balance for me; to make sure the game doesn't go mad.

We try and play football in a positive way. Any team has to be defensively organised, but you have to look at the attributes of the players and play to their strengths.

At the World Cup, most teams changed their style when they played us and maybe were more defensive. In the final, we didn't know if Holland were going to do the same, but the important thing was we beat them in the end.

If I hit a bad punt, and some guys don't make a tackle, and I have to make a tackle for them, that's my opportunity to step up for my teammates.