Zvyagel's rookie winger, Norwegian-born George Lewis, who was trained at London's Arsenal, gave an interview toUV inwhich he spoke about his first steps in the new team, which is the leader of the Ukrainian Second League.
George Lewis (photo: @fczvyagel)- You started in Zvyagel with a goal. Is this the second league so easy for you or have you managed to adapt to the team so well?
- I really like Zvyagel's game. I get a lot of pleasure from the style, combinations, partners. Everyone is very charged, they understand what to do and how to do it.
- Tell us, how is your adaptation to the newteam going?
- Adaptation is going well. It is great that there are foreigners in the team with whom we have found a common language, but we also communicate with Ukrainians. The coach helps a lot with adaptation, he speaks English.
- You are a newcomer to Ukrainian football. What is the difference between playing in Norway or England?
- The main difference is the war. Everything else is similar: the ball is round, the pitch is flat, the players are good. I pay more attention to my partners - how they play and how they understand tactical actions, which is important for a better game. But, of course, the level of the Arsenal players I trained with is different, but it's logical and normal.
- How did you get an invitation to Zvyagel?
- I want to play, and I was given this opportunity in Ukraine. I'm very grateful to Yaroslav Kondratiuk from Phenomen Sports, who helped me and advised me on all legal issues.
- Did you have any special initiation rituals?
- Nothing special: we said hello to the coach and the team.
- Did you even have to sing your favourite song?
- I haven't sung it yet, because I don't have time. I think that when we get together as a team on one of the weekends, we will definitely do something.
- In Ukraine, Polissia and Zvyagel are friendly clubs (even the president of PFC Zvyagel, Kostiuk, explained the nature of this friendship separately). There are many transitions between them. The presidents often attend matches together. By any chance, you were not invited to the UPL and the Zhytomyr club first?
- Yes, I had a conversation with the representatives of Polissia, I have a very good relationship and spend a lot of time with the Polissia legionnaires, especially Makuana, who is on good terms with me.
I will be happy to earn the chance to prove myself enough for Polissia to see it as a reinforcement for their player roster. I believe in my own abilities and am confident that I will be able to feel the necessary game tone. Moreover, I am familiar with the path of Denys Ndukwe (the leader of the second league scoring race joined Polissia from Zvyagel - ed.), so I understand that everything is real.
- Weren't you afraid to go to Ukraine during the war?
- Yes, it's scary when rockets are flying at you at 6am, but we are all in the same situation here and we all stay strong.
- How did your family perceive your decision?
- It was my decision. They are worried, yes, but I decide what to do with my career, so I have the final say in any case.
- Zvyagel's next opponent is your closest pursuer, UCSA. What do you think of the Christian Academy team, what are your thoughts and impressions?
- The coaching staff explained everything to us in detail, we have all the necessary information. I have heard that this is a good team, which includes both experienced Ukrainian players and high-quality legionnaires from abroad - from South America. I am interested in getting to know Ukrainian football, and I hope the game will be interesting. I will try to do my best, if the coach entrusts me with playing time, to bring more benefit to Zvyagel in this important match.
- What are you striving for in Ukraine?
- Once I failed to take the chance to prove myself in the Arsenal first team during the American tour because of an injury I suffered just a few days before the departure of the first team. So now I am confident that everything will go according to plan!
- When did you realise you wanted to become a footballer?
- I would like to say that I wanted to become a footballer when I watched Ronaldo, Ronaldo, Messi play, but I think a balanced decision to become a footballer came to me with the game. I fell in love with football when I was very young: I just went outside and played, beat, scored, passed, and had fun. Then, when it all turned into work, I realised that I wanted to be a footballer to help my family with this work. But I think it's important to keep enjoying the game.
- Who was your idol, what is your favourite team?
- Honestly, I don't think I'll surprise anyone if I say that I really liked the play of Ronaldo and Messi. But I always watched football a little deeper, so I tried to look up to more specialised wingers in terms of position, like Neymar. And the best team, of course, is Arsenal. London is red!
- In Norway, you played for Tromsø, Tromsdalen and Fram. Tell us about the peculiarities of youth football in Norway?
- In Norway, the attitude of letting children think, analyse their own mistakes, and, most importantly, make mistakes, has been developing a lot lately. It's better to make a mistake but play football than not to make a mistake but play takeaways. However, as I get older, I start to realise that sometimes you can take away, and for this purpose, you are taught to analyse the situation on the pitch.
- With so many superstars, why can't Norway make it to a major tournament?
- National team football is perhaps not just about individuals, but about the team. And it takes time to build a team. I think Norway will soon be at a major tournament and when it does, it will stay at the World Cup and the Euros for a long time.
- Your compatriot Martin Edegor restarted his career at Arsenal after Spain and loan spells at various clubs. Can we say that he has found his team?
- Martin definitely made the right choice and found his coach, which is very important. He enjoys the game and plays very hard. He's a leader, I think that's the whole path he had to go through to become the Edegor he is now.
- I've been a fan of Arsenal since I was a kid. I'm interested in everything, so tell me more. How did you get an invitation to join the Gunners' academy?
- I was playing in Norway, my contract expired and there was interest from various clubs in England, so I spent some time at Ipswich. There, as I understand it, Arsenal were also watching me. Then they invited me for about a week of viewing and said they wanted to sign me on a permanent basis.
Everything is quite simple, but very complicated at the same time. I worked hard to play for Arsenal and now I will work hard to get back to that level.
- What do you remember about your three years in North London?
- I didn't walk around the city much. I remember more the academy, the base, the stadiums, the pitches and the training sessions. But it was always nice to meet the fans. That's why I love England so much, because the fans there are top, and Arsenal have the best.
- You trained with the first team. Could you describe this experience of working with superstars in more detail?
- It was incredible: one day you play in Norway, the next day you're on the pitch next to Edegor and scoring against Leno. It motivates you, gives you strength, but also responsibility.
- Have you witnessed Arteta's motivational techniques? An Edison light bulb, speakers with interference...
- No, not exactly tricks, but Martin told me how Arteta recharges during breaks and before matches. It's incredible! Arteta also gave me a lot of advice, telling me where and how I could improve my game. He is a simple man - very kind, very smart, but he knows how to achieve his goals.
- At Arsenal U-23, you played alongside defender Saliba and striker Nketia. Did you see the potential in these guys to break into the first team?
- Honestly, Salib was difficult to pass, but maybe when he played with me. However, he and Eddie have achieved everything through their work. Many in the U-23 stand out for their potential, their play, but not everyone reaches the first team, so the guys definitely deserved it not only with their talent but also with their work on the pitch.
- What is Emile Smith-Rowe's problem? What prevents him from playing at the level of Bukayo Saku?
- I can't say that there is a problem. In general, I think I should look at myself more than talk about the problems of others. Emile is a very good player, Bukayo is incredible, I respect both of them.
- In your opinion, will Zinchenko be able to win the competition on the left wing of the defence after his injury?
- Zinchenko is a top person and player. He is incredible, I think that injuries will not make him worse and he will certainly play at the same level. When I had the opportunity to train with the first team, I often played against Zinchenko and I was impressed by the passion he showed, the control of the ball, and it was just a training session! I can't imagine what it would be like to play next to him on the pitch.
- A lot of time has passed since Mudryk did not join Arsenal . Was the choice in favour of Chelsea a mistake?
- Again, I really don't want to discuss any of the players, because I want to concentrate on myself. But the last game of the national team could say a lot about Mudryk: he can decide the moment, even if the game is not going on, Misha can invent a moment. I like this, Mudryk's example shows that you can never give up and give up.
Oleksandr Karpenko
