Petr is turning 35! I still have my dreams, he says

So you don’t think you’ll get an invitation to play with Czech legends in the New Year’s Eve derby? You could play for Sparta once again.

In theory, I could. The guys are jokingly reminding me that they’re counting on me, but the date is still colliding with my duties in the Premier League. And I hope it will collide for several more years to come.

How many years?

I don’t look so far ahead.

You could play till you’re forty, right?

I don’t know. Right now I’m only thinking about the two last games of the season, that we have to win them with Arsenal. First we play against Everton tomorrow and then the FA Cup final against Chelsea. We have won all our matches in May so far and we’ll do everything we can to prolong the streak.

But Arsenal is still fifth in the Premier League table. Even beating Everton might not ensure that you’ll play in the Champions League next season.

We’re all aware of that, but even so it’s amazing that we’re still in the game. Many people were already writing us off this spring, but we’ve shown our strength, our quality and character. Now we have to win and hope some of our rivals slip up. That’s all we can do.

And then it’s the FA Cup final, which you’ve already won four times.

Four times with Chelsea, which is kind of ironic this year. I hope I’ll get a fifth win. First time with Arsenal!

Can you tell us what drives you on now that you’re turning thirty-five?

Motivation, desire, will. I want to win every match. I want to win every competition I play in. I believe that next year, we’ll win the title with Arsenal. That’s why I’m trying to be the best I can, so that I’m useful to the team and can help them win.

Isn’t that a bit self-destructive sometimes?

No, it’s definitely not. You’ve got to be driven, you’ve got to have dreams you want to fulfil. And it doesn’t matter whether you’re twenty or fifty. I have already fulfilled many of my dreams, but not all of them. When I stop having dreams and goals, it will be a clear signal for me to retire. But I’ve still got energy and appetite. I want to play on the highest level as long as I can.

I’d expect that at thirty-five, a footballer is looking forward to retiring and having a normal life, going for a beer with his mates whenever he fancies.

I am looking forward to that, sure, but right now I know that there’s still plenty of time. I’m not the type to dwell on things that are not exactly imminent.

Before I forget, Petr: Happy birthday! How will you celebrate?

The usual. Training session, a cake at home and back to work. Tomorrow we’re playing an extremely important game against Everton so I can’t really have a party. I’ll be with the team at the hotel.