Fabrice Muamba: Talentspotter | FourFourTwo

NICKNAME Most people call me Fab, some call me Fabba. CLUB SUPPORTED AS A BOY Growing up in the Congo I supported Arsenal. It was around the time they had Vieira, Petit, Bergkamp and Henry

playing for them and they were awesome. Most people in the Congo were Manchester United fans so I bucked the trend and always made sure I was in front of a television whenever Arsenal

played.   STRENGTHS I would say my energy and ability to close people down are my best assets. I’m not a bad tackler either and, come to think of it, I’m pretty strong all round defensively.

                  You may like WEAKNESSES My long passing needs some work and so does my composure in front of goal. I’m always working to improve my game.    I PLAY A BIT LIKE Most people

compare me to Patrick Vieira, and they’ll get no complaints from me about that. It was a privilege to meet him when I first arrived at Arsenal and it was a sad day for the club when he left.

                    HIGHLIGHTS Making my first team debut for Arsenal in the third round of the League Cup against Sunderland was an absolutely incredible feeling. Arsene Wenger put out an

incredibly young side but we repaid his faith and won 3-0 at the Stadium of Light. I loved my time with Arsenal but coming to Birmingham wasn’t a difficult decision. I’m always looking to

test myself and continually improve my game. Besides, I had to do what was best for me at this time in my career.     LOWLIGHTS When I was at Arsenal we had a great youth team but we lost to

Brentford in the FA Youth Cup on penalties and yours truly missed one from the spot. What’s more, Arsene Wenger was right behind the goal when I fluffed it. I came into training the next

day and the lads were caning me. Arsene Wenger didn’t let me take another penalty again – even in training!   The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every

week. TOUGHEST OPPONENT Michael Essien is probably the toughest player I’ve played against. He’s just a great all-round midfielder – very powerful and his heading ability is just unreal. You

can’t help but learn when you’re up against players like that every week.   BEST PLAYER PLAYED WITH I’ve played with a few, including Thierry Henry, but I would have to say that Dennis

Bergkamp is out there on his own. He was unbelievable in training.   BIGGEST INFLUENCE My mum and dad. They have always believed in me and are always there to keep me focused and raise my

spirits. My whole family is very supportive. From a football perspective Steve Bould was great at Arsenal and Neil Banfield, the club’s reserve team coach, was brilliant with the young

players too.   BIGGEST PRACTICAL JOKER There’s always banter flying around the dressing room but Maik Taylor is the funny guy. Richard Kingson is a good laugh too – must be something about

goalkeepers.        LATEST CAR I’m driving a Range Rover at the moment.              FLICKS The last film I saw was Hitmen –  a very good movie. If you like action films you’ll love this.

Sound like Jonathan Ross, don’t I? CHICKS Tyra Banks, any day of the week. WHAT’S ON YOUR IPOD These days I’m listening to Jay-Z’s new album. PREFERRED HOLIDAY DESTINATION I’ve never been to

the Dominican Republic but it looks absolutely amazing. Hopefully I’ll be over there this summer.          IF YOU HADN’T BEEN A FOOTBALLER I didn’t really take football too seriously until

the age of 16 and always did well at school. If things hadn’t worked out I think I would probably have ended up being an accountant.   IN FIVE YEARS’ TIME... I want to be playing Champions

League football for a top club in England or Europe and knocking on the England door. _From the February 2008 issue of FourFourTwo. _