--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I have been playing for England since I…" description: "\"I have been playing for England since I was 18, and while I wouldn't say I took it all for granted, it just seemed to be a part of my season - to play ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/368/alex-oxlade-chamberlain-6669_arsenal_i-have-been-playing-for-england-since-i_2888991.jpg" --- # I have been playing for England since I was 18, and while… ![“I have been playing for England since I was 18, and while I wouldn't say I took it all for granted, it just seemed to be a part of my season - to play for Arsenal and to play for England.” quote by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/368/alex-oxlade-chamberlain-6669_arsenal_i-have-been-playing-for-england-since-i_2888991.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/368/alex-oxlade-chamberlain-6669_arsenal_i-have-been-playing-for-england-since-i_2888991.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/368/alex-oxlade-chamberlain-6669_arsenal_i-have-been-playing-for-england-since-i_2888991.jpg) > “I have been playing for England since I was 18, and while I wouldn't say I took it all for granted, it just seemed to be a part of my season - to play for Arsenal and to play for England.” [Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Playing for club and country feels like a natural extension of his career. **In simple terms:** Playing for Arsenal and England feels natural. Key Takeaway Embrace opportunities that align with personal growth. Themes sports national pride career progression Mood determined proud Type analytical motivational When to use this quote - International matches - club seasons - career planning Key Concepts Professional development team dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How do athletes balance club and national duties? - What mental strategies support high performance? A Different Perspective Pressure of dual expectations may cause stress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [England](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/england/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Season](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/season/) ## Related quotes > [They're fighting for the championship, that's not a coincidence: I believe they have developed as a team. They've become much stronger, the squad is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philipp-lahm/they-re-fighting-for-the-championship-that-s-not-a-coincidence-i/) [Philipp Lahm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philipp-lahm/) > [I joined Arsenal to play with Robin van persie - not replace him](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivier-giroud/i-joined-arsenal-to-play-with-robin-van-persie-not-replace-him/) [Olivier Giroud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivier-giroud/) > [I played as a 10 and, in Sweden, they let me take as many touches as I could. All of a sudden, I come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freddie-ljungberg/i-played-as-a-10-and-in-sweden-they-let-me-take-as-many-touches-as-i/) [Freddie Ljungberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freddie-ljungberg/) > [As a Spurs fan I've watched the games and the rivalries throughout the years, so to play against Arsenal you have the bit between…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-winks/as-a-spurs-fan-i-ve-watched-the-games-and-the-rivalries-throughout/) [Harry Winks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-winks/) > [It is always a tough game when you play against Arsenal; they have good players, and it doesn't matter what kind of moment they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dusan-tadic/it-is-always-a-tough-game-when-you-play-against-arsenal-they-have/) [Dusan Tadic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dusan-tadic/) > [All the players that come to Arsenal should already know what it means to play for Arsenal, the history of the club, the players…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emile-smith-rowe/all-the-players-that-come-to-arsenal-should-already-know-what-it/) [Emile Smith Rowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emile-smith-rowe/) > [In my heart, I wanted to stay. I always believed that I had what it takes to play for Arsenal, but these things are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/serge-gnabry/in-my-heart-i-wanted-to-stay-i-always-believed-that-i-had-what-it/) [Serge Gnabry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/serge-gnabry/) > [When you are asked to play for Arsenal, and for the first-team at that, it is very hard to say no.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hector-bellerin/when-you-are-asked-to-play-for-arsenal-and-for-the-first-team-at-that/) [Hector Bellerin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hector-bellerin/) > [I want to play for Arsenal. When you see football all around the world, you see very few teams who play the way that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesc-fabregas/i-want-to-play-for-arsenal-when-you-see-football-all-around-the-world/) [Cesc Fabregas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesc-fabregas/) > [I remember being a young boy in Poland, watching David Seaman, Thierry Henry, Dennis Berkamp and others play for Arsenal. Never in my wildest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wojciech-szczesny/i-remember-being-a-young-boy-in-poland-watching-david-seaman-thierry/) [Wojciech Szczesny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wojciech-szczesny/) > [To play for Arsenal will be the best day of my life and I will do anything to play for that team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gervinho/to-play-for-arsenal-will-be-the-best-day-of-my-life-and-i-will-do/) [Gervinho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gervinho/) > [I am determined to play for Arsenal and be in the squad of Unai Emery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandre-lacazette/i-am-determined-to-play-for-arsenal-and-be-in-the-squad-of-unai-emery/) [Alexandre Lacazette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandre-lacazette/) > [My dream is to play for Arsenal, I've always said that and I believe I have everything that a keeper needs to play for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emiliano-martinez/my-dream-is-to-play-for-arsenal-i-ve-always-said-that-and-i-believe-i/) [Emiliano Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emiliano-martinez/) > [Whenever I play against Arsenal - and this is just a personal thing - I go up and think 'let me whack the first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/troy-deeney/whenever-i-play-against-arsenal-and-this-is-just-a-personal-thing-i/) [Troy Deeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/troy-deeney/) > [That's the dream to play for Arsenal one day. But it's a long shot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ollie-watkins/that-s-the-dream-to-play-for-arsenal-one-day-but-it-s-a-long-shot/) [Ollie Watkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ollie-watkins/) ## More by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain > [Sometimes in midfield, it's nice because you do get a little bit more of the ball, and maybe out wide you rely on people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/sometimes-in-midfield-it-s-nice-because-you-do-get-a-little-bit-more/) [Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/) > [FA Cup or league - we look to win every game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/fa-cup-or-league-we-look-to-win-every-game/) [Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/) > [My senior school didn't play football. It was a rugby and cricket school, and as I was on a sports scholarship, I was forced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/my-senior-school-didn-t-play-football-it-was-a-rugby-and-cricket/) [Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/) > [Obviously, there's times in your career when people doubt you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/obviously-there-s-times-in-your-career-when-people-doubt-you/) [Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/) > [I can take so much from someone like Mo Salah.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/i-can-take-so-much-from-someone-like-mo-salah/) [Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/) > [Getting stronger and fitter by playing games is only going to help me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/getting-stronger-and-fitter-by-playing-games-is-only-going-to-help-me/) [Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/) > [I play where I'm told to play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/i-play-where-i-m-told-to-play/) [Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/) > [It's a mutual respect, especially a player like Neymar, a player of a similar age to me and someone I've got massive respect for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/it-s-a-mutual-respect-especially-a-player-like-neymar-a-player-of-a/) [Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/) > [Playing in a team like Arsenal helps massively having all of these players around you giving you advice. When they are playing well, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/playing-in-a-team-like-arsenal-helps-massively-having-all-of-these/) [Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/) > [I've got a lot of very fond memories playing football from the ages of four.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/i-ve-got-a-lot-of-very-fond-memories-playing-football-from-the-ages/) [Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/) > [My dad had a spell when he came out of coaching doing some work with underprivileged children on quite a rough council estate in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/my-dad-had-a-spell-when-he-came-out-of-coaching-doing-some-work-with/) [Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/) > [You see the likes of the Barcelonas and Real Madrids, and you always want to play against them and, obviously, Bayern Munich too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/you-see-the-likes-of-the-barcelonas-and-real-madrids-and-you-always/) [Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/) > [I'm into nice clothes and trying to look good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/i-m-into-nice-clothes-and-trying-to-look-good/) [Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/) > [When I play out wide and maybe score a goal, that's my favourite position.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/when-i-play-out-wide-and-maybe-score-a-goal-that-s-my-favourite/) [Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/) > [In the long run, it's probably better to tie yourself down to one position and really become established in one area to be as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/in-the-long-run-it-s-probably-better-to-tie-yourself-down-to-one/) [Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/) [Explore all 98 Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/) ## More Arsenal quotes > [I have always followed Arsenal in the Premier League. At some points they were really good, but also had some difficulties like a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gervinho/i-have-always-followed-arsenal-in-the-premier-league-at-some-points/) [Gervinho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gervinho/) > [What do folk always say about Arsenal? They can pass you to death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-adam/what-do-folk-always-say-about-arsenal-they-can-pass-you-to-death/) [Charlie Adam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-adam/) > [Don't put too much pressure on Jack Wilshere... in years to come I think he will be an Arsenal great like Liam Brady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-merson/don-t-put-too-much-pressure-on-jack-wilshere-in-years-to-come-i-think/) [Paul Merson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-merson/) > [As a club, we have an educational purpose: to give back to those people who love Arsenal so that they learn moral values from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arsene-wenger/as-a-club-we-have-an-educational-purpose-to-give-back-to-those-people/) [Arsene Wenger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arsene-wenger/) > [I want to stay at Arsenal for as long as I can, stay at the highest level and push this club back to where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-white/i-want-to-stay-at-arsenal-for-as-long-as-i-can-stay-at-the-highest/) [Ben White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-white/) > [My wish was to finish my career at Arsenal, but there are always banana skins.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kolo-toure/my-wish-was-to-finish-my-career-at-arsenal-but-there-are-always/) [Kolo Toure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kolo-toure/) > [I was at Arsenal as an 11-year-old. I really enjoyed it but I was at school and my dad used to drive me there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-noble/i-was-at-arsenal-as-an-11-year-old-i-really-enjoyed-it-but-i-was-at/) [Mark Noble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-noble/) > [Captaining your country, going out at Wembley, captaining Arsenal to 10 trophies, playing your first game - they're all amazing things. But, phew, saving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-adams/captaining-your-country-going-out-at-wembley-captaining-arsenal-to-10/) [Tony Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-adams/) > [I was always respectful to Arsene and I think he respected me for that. We had a good relationship and understanding. We spoke a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lukasz-fabianski/i-was-always-respectful-to-arsene-and-i-think-he-respected-me-for/) [Lukasz Fabianski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lukasz-fabianski/) > [If you think about it, Washington's overwhelming power in the world is founded on death, the awesome arsenal for killing people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-greider/if-you-think-about-it-washington-s-overwhelming-power-in-the-world-is/) [William Greider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-greider/) > [A club like Arsenal is a fabulous club, it is a well-run club.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-phelan/a-club-like-arsenal-is-a-fabulous-club-it-is-a-well-run-club/) [Mike Phelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-phelan/) > [I don't think there was a danger of chaos at Arsenal. We have a fantastic manager who knows how to run the club. All…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wojciech-szczesny/i-don-t-think-there-was-a-danger-of-chaos-at-arsenal-we-have-a/) [Wojciech Szczesny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wojciech-szczesny/) > [I was at Arsenal but I didn't like the manager of the under-10s at the time so I went to West Ham where my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonjo-shelvey/i-was-at-arsenal-but-i-didn-t-like-the-manager-of-the-under-10s-at/) [Jonjo Shelvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonjo-shelvey/) > [ The best player I ever played against was Paolo Maldini. We \[Arsenal\] played against Milan in the European Supercup \[in 1995\]. 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