Tell us about your football journey, from where you started to where you are now.

I began playing when I was very young, six years old. I started at Paris Saint-Germain because I grew up near where PSG trained, Saint-Germain-en-Laye. At the same time, I was practicing karate; I did both for a while, football and karate. Karate helped me a lot, then and now, because I learned how to be flexible, I learned movements, it helped me to build my personality and so on – it really helped me a lot. I stayed at PSG from six to 15, and then I signed for Lorient. I joined them at 15, and I signed my first professional contract when I was 17. And then everything happened and I ended up at Arsenal and living in London.

What have you made of London as a city?

It’s beautiful. I really enjoyed December because it was stunning, especially Oxford Street. It’s a wonderful street, well stocked with big shops and restaurants. The people are open-minded. When I’m with my family or my friends, when they come to London, we love the moments we spend together there. I’m really happy in this city.

Is it important for you to live somewhere that matches your personality?

Yes, of course, it’s linked. When you don’t feel good in a city then you can’t perform at your maximum when you play on the pitch. You think about lots of other things and don’t concentrate on your play. When you have peace of mind, when you feel good in the city where you are, with your family, your friends… when your environment’s right, you’re ready to face anything.

Has anyone taken you under their wing and helped you settle in?

Yeah, especially the French players, people speaking my language. They helped me settle in right from the start. They advised me a lot on and off the pitch. They told me what I could do to help integrate myself at such a big team as Arsenal. I got along with all the other players too. The whole team put me at ease and that's why I made a very good start to the season.

You’ve settled into the cut and thrust of the Premier League very quickly – the fans have certainly taken to you. How did you approach playing in a new country?

When I play football, I concentrate on what I need to do on the pitch, on what I need to do during training. I really concentrate on myself and my performances within the team. I ask myself what I can bring to the team. It makes me happy to be cheered by supporters, to be a fan favourite in the Premier League. It’s always a pleasure to experience, because it rewards all the efforts you made on the pitch and during training. It’s great, but I’ll keep my feet on the ground. I know I’m young and I still have a lot to do to become a superstar.