Congratulations on becoming the captain of Arsenal. Are you enjoying bossing the others?

No, I don't boss anybody! In England, captain is a very big thing. Everybody looks at him to be always at the top, so it's a huge responsibility.

You came to England from Spain when you were just 16. Was it hard?

It was difficult for the first five months or so, but I was training with the first team every now and then, which made it all worth it.

Do you get homesick?

I miss my family, but I'm quite independent. I moved out of home at 15, moved to England at 16. It's difficult when I go back home to Barcelona because I'm being told what to do.

Was British culture a bit of a shock?

Yes. In Spain, normally you eat at 10pm, at 12.30am you go to a pub, at 3am you go to the disco. Here, at 7pm they are either ready for bed or on the floor somewhere.

So are you much of a party animal?

No, I don't like that scene. I don't like alcohol.

How do you like to relax?

It's difficult to relax because I spend my time thinking about football. Sometimes I can relax when I'm out with my girlfriend or friends, or when I play golf, even though I'm not very good.

Who's the lucky lady?

She's Spanish. I met her three weeks after I arrived in England. We celebrated our five-year anniversary three weeks ago.

Pretty good week for you, then!

Yes! The day of our anniversary was the day that my boss told me I would be captain.

Did you always want to be a footballer?

My parents knew that I loved football, but we would never have thought for a minute that I would become a professional player. I started playing in a five-a-side team when I was 5. My career developed and at 10 I went to play for Barcelona.

That sounds hard at such a young age

It was. I would start school at 8am, then go running after school, then straight to training all evening. I would get home at about 11.30pm, eat quickly, do my homework and some study, and then wake at 7am the next day and do it all again.

Feel like you missed out on your childhood?

Yes, definitely. I missed many, many things, but it's worth it. I have no regrets.

Bit of a perfectionist?

Yes. I sometimes feel as if I don't have a life at all because when I am not playing football, I am watching football, re-watching the games to see what I did wrong.

How do you stay in shape?

Food is really important. I'd like to see a nutritionist actually. I have always been very disciplined and if I am told to do something, I will do it. But if nobody tells me, I'm suddenly at the fridge, eating chocolate. And I need to sleep a lot. If I don't sleep for ten hours, I think I haven't had enough sleep, so I feel tired, even if I'm probably not.

Ever tried therapy?

My girlfriend is a psychologist, so that's all I need! We have one at Arsenal who comes to talk to us, which is good. I have to be careful with my girlfriend; it can be dangerous.

So, she's not a typical WAG?

No. She's quiet, relaxed and intelligent. For me, that's the most important thing.

If you weren't a footballer, what would you do with your life?

I would be in Barcelona, studying, like my friends, then working. I would probably be partying a bit more if my life was like that!

INTERVIEW: HARRIET ADDISON

Cesc Fàbregas and his teammates are donating a day's wages to the Teenage Cancer Trust at Arsenal's match against Liverpool on December 21. Visit www.beagoonerbeagiver.org

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