--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was a young kid, I never expected…" description: "\"When I was a young kid, I never expected to play for Arsenal or England.\" — Ashley Cole" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85c/ashley-cole-9160_arsenal_when-i-was-a-young-kid-i-never-expected_3141342.jpg" --- # When I was a young kid, I never expected to play for… ![“When I was a young kid, I never expected to play for Arsenal or England.” quote by Ashley Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85c/ashley-cole-9160_arsenal_when-i-was-a-young-kid-i-never-expected_3141342.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85c/ashley-cole-9160_arsenal_when-i-was-a-young-kid-i-never-expected_3141342.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85c/ashley-cole-9160_arsenal_when-i-was-a-young-kid-i-never-expected_3141342.jpg) > “When I was a young kid, I never expected to play for Arsenal or England.” [Ashley Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-cole/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Early dreams can evolve into unexpected achievements through perseverance and adaptability. **In simple terms:** Dreams change, effort stays. Key Takeaway Stay adaptable, keep working toward goals. Themes dreams career adaptability perseverance Mood inspirational realistic Type sports personal development When to use this quote - youth sports - career transitions - goal setting - overcoming setbacks Key Concepts sports psychology goal setting identity formation Questions to Reflect On - What childhood dream still inspires you? - How can you pivot when goals shift? A Different Perspective Not all childhood aspirations materialize; external factors matter. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Arsenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arsenal/) [Arsenal England](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arsenal-england-1576224/) [England](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/england/) [Expected Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expected-play-2319732/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Never](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/never/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Play Arsenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play-arsenal-355049/) [Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/young/) ## Related quotes > [In 1987, I was captain of Arsenal and England's centre-half. I walked down Oxford Street and not one person bothered me. Not one. Today…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-adams/in-1987-i-was-captain-of-arsenal-and-england-s-centre-half-i-walked/) [Tony Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-adams/) > [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/) > [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/) > [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/) > [When you play for Arsenal you have to try to win all competitions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-pires/when-you-play-for-arsenal-you-have-to-try-to-win-all-competitions/) [Robert Pires](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-pires/) > [“What role was she expected to play in his life, and more important, in her own?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beverly-jenkins/what-role-was-she-expected-to-play-in-his-life-and-more-important-in/) [Beverly Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beverly-jenkins/) ## More by Ashley Cole > [I'm not a goalscorer. It's not my job. Everyone always tells me I've never scored. I don't think I've had a shot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-cole/i-m-not-a-goalscorer-it-s-not-my-job-everyone-always-tells-me-i-ve/) [Ashley Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-cole/) > [I don't think it's my personality to be going around telling people what I'm doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-cole/i-don-t-think-it-s-my-personality-to-be-going-around-telling-people/) [Ashley Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-cole/) > [When you're growing up and thinking about being a footballer, you want to make as many caps and play as many games as you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-cole/when-you-re-growing-up-and-thinking-about-being-a-footballer-you-want/) [Ashley Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-cole/) > [I came to AS Roma to play in the Champions League](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-cole/i-came-to-as-roma-to-play-in-the-champions-league/) [Ashley Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-cole/) > [I do not fear the pressure to win because I spent 14 years in England always fighting for a starting spot, and that's what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-cole/i-do-not-fear-the-pressure-to-win-because-i-spent-14-years-in-england/) [Ashley Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-cole/) > [To win the Premier League proves you are a top team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-cole/to-win-the-premier-league-proves-you-are-a-top-team/) [Ashley Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-cole/) > [I never think I want to go to another World Cup just to be in the record books again and play in six tournaments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-cole/i-never-think-i-want-to-go-to-another-world-cup-just-to-be-in-the/) [Ashley Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-cole/) > [Of course you don't want to hear racist chants, but sometimes, as a player, you have to take it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-cole/of-course-you-don-t-want-to-hear-racist-chants-but-sometimes-as-a/) [Ashley Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-cole/) > [When I used to see things in the newspapers, going onto the pitch was the best way to get away from it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-cole/when-i-used-to-see-things-in-the-newspapers-going-onto-the-pitch-was/) [Ashley Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-cole/) > [I'm so lucky to have had the career I've had and play with so many amazing players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-cole/i-m-so-lucky-to-have-had-the-career-i-ve-had-and-play-with-so-many/) [Ashley Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-cole/) > [I have been able to fulfil nearly all my ambitions at Chelsea. I have won the Champions League, the League, I have won FA…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-cole/i-have-been-able-to-fulfil-nearly-all-my-ambitions-at-chelsea-i-have/) [Ashley Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-cole/) > [I don't really like seeing myself on TV doing interviews.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-cole/i-don-t-really-like-seeing-myself-on-tv-doing-interviews/) [Ashley Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-cole/) > [I've got the chance to make history, and that means such a lot to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-cole/i-ve-got-the-chance-to-make-history-and-that-means-such-a-lot-to-me/) [Ashley Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-cole/) > [I'm not a diva, I'm not an egotistical guy that comes and thinks he's bigger than anyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-cole/i-m-not-a-diva-i-m-not-an-egotistical-guy-that-comes-and-thinks-he-s/) [Ashley Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-cole/) > [It happens in football: you are loved one day and hated the next.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-cole/it-happens-in-football-you-are-loved-one-day-and-hated-the-next/) [Ashley Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-cole/) [Explore all 75 Ashley Cole quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-cole/) ## 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 \[in 1995\]. Maldini marked me… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-merson/the-best-player-i-ever-played-against-was-paolo-maldini-we-arsenal/) [Paul Merson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-merson/) > [The true beauty of nature is her amplitude; she exists neither for nor because of us, and possesses a staying power that all our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-jay-gould/the-true-beauty-of-nature-is-her-amplitude-she-exists-neither-for-nor/) [Stephen Jay Gould](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-jay-gould/) [Browse all 705 Arsenal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arsenal/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I was a young kid, I never expected to play for Arsenal or England.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ashley Cole" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-cole/when-i-was-a-young-kid-i-never-expected-to-play-for-arsenal-or-england/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Arsenal" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-cole/when-i-was-a-young-kid-i-never-expected-to-play-for-arsenal-or-england/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85c/ashley-cole-9160_arsenal_when-i-was-a-young-kid-i-never-expected_3141342.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85c/ashley-cole-9160_arsenal_when-i-was-a-young-kid-i-never-expected_3141342.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85c/ashley-cole-9160_arsenal_when-i-was-a-young-kid-i-never-expected_3141342.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When I was a young kid, I never expected to play for Arsenal or England.” — Ashley Cole", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ashley Cole", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-cole/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When I was a young kid,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-cole/when-i-was-a-young-kid-i-never-expected-to-play-for-arsenal-or-england/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-cole/when-i-was-a-young-kid-i-never-expected-to-play-for-arsenal-or-england/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```