Jack Collison has told the official matchday programme he is itching to help West Ham United get back to winning ways when Arsenal pay a visit to the Boleyn Ground on Sunday.
The 21-year-old returned to the Hammers' lineup for last weekend's 2-1 defeat at Stoke City after a short period out with a minor leg injury. Collison is expected to retain his starting place when the Gunners arrive, and the Wales international is determined to help Gianfranco Zola's side end a run of six league matches without a victory.
In doing so, the popular Academy graduate is also keen to gain revenge for the 2-0 reverse he suffered on his first-team debut for the club at the Emirates Stadium on New Year's Day 2008. That day, Collison admitted the pace of the game, plus the challenge of facing Arsenal and Spain star Cesc Fabregas, had left him breathless.
Nearly two years on, he is an established Barclays Premier League midfielder and full international himself, and desperate to get one over Fabregas and his Gunners team-mates on the day both clubs will show their support for the Kick It Out campaign.
"I went on that pitch and it felt like I didn't know what I was doing," Collison told the matchday programme. "It was all a blur. It was a great thing, though, for me to make my debut and be out there against top players like Cesc Fabregas. Since then I have done a lot of growing up on and off the pitch and I am sure I will give a much more mature display this time if selected."
In a wide-ranging interview, Collison also talks about the support he has received following the death of his father Ian in August, his important role as the club's Kick It Out ambassador, his pride at seeing so many of his fellow Academy graduates playing first-team football and his happiness at shaking off the knee injury that blighted the tail-end of his 2008/09 season.
Sunday's programme also features a number of exciting features and interviews, including James Tomkins' Dream Team, Zavon Hines Talking Football and the club's support for the Kick It Out campaign.
Priced at £3.50, the official matchday programme will be available in and around the Boleyn Ground, as well as online here.