Mikel Arteta

August

Mikel featured in the goalless draws against Sunderland and Stoke. “Every year you are trying to improve your numbers and how you can help the team,” he said. “We will see what the boss will ask me to do. I always try my best and that won't be different."

September

Mikel continued to impress in a deeper midfield role over the course of the month, before picking up an ankle injury after the game against Chelsea at Emirates Stadium.

October

Mikel scored a crucial late winner as Arsenal beat QPR at Emirates Stadium. The midfielder was also voted Man of the Match against Norwich and played five times in October. “Since the beginning of the season Mikel has been absolutely outstanding,” Arsene Wenger said after the QPR win. “He does a fantastic job, he is highly focused and I am very happy for him that he gets the rewards."

November

Mikel played in every Arsenal game during November.

December

Mikel had a successful December, playing in five matches and scoring three times. After securing a 2-0 win over West Brom with two penalties, he was again successful from the spot at Wigan, scoring the only goal of the game. Boss Arsene Wenger reserved praise for the Spaniard, saying: “When you miss a penalty in the last minute of a game and you come back and you take two, you can only take your hat off. It is not easy to do what he did. It’s funny because the keeper thought he had missed one on his right, so next time [went to] his left and he [Arteta] put it in the middle twice. It demands some nerves. He could be a good poker player. He is a winner. He is ready to fight to win.”

January

Mikel started Arsenal’s first two games of 2013, but was then sidelined for the rest of the month after picking up a calf injury.

February

Mikel Arteta played every minute of every game throughout February. “Something good that we’ve got here is that we don’t look at the other one and say ‘Look what you’ve done’ If someone makes a mistake, the team makes a mistake,” the midfielder said after the Aston Villa win. “Everyone makes mistakes during the game and you can’t fault a player for that."

March

Mikel started every Arsenal fixtures during March and was on target in the win against Reading, confidently dispatching a late penalty. "We had a really high tempo right from the start,” he said after the Reading game. “I think we had a lot of good combinations around the box. We looked lively. In the first half, we could have killed the game. After the third goal, I think the game was over."

April

Mikel was an ever-present in April, completing every game. He captained the side on four occasions in Thomas Vermaelen’s absence and equalised from the penalty spot against Norwich City at the Emirates in a game that Arsenal eventually won 3-1. “We had enough chances in the first half to go in front and then suddenly the first chance they get, they score,” Mikel said after that game. “With five minutes to go, you would hardly believe we would get three but we did it. “We just had to keep believing, keep creating chances and in the end I thought we deserved to win. It is a massive result for us. It doesn't matter what happens, until the referee blows the final whistle we will never give up. We have a lot to play for, it is massive for us to get into the Champions League spots and we have to keep fighting.”

September

Mikel enjoyed a successful first month at Arsenal, featuring in every match in the Premier League and Champions League. The Spaniard made a seamless transition into the Gunners midfield and hit his first goal for the Club in the 4-3 defeat at Blackburn. "A club like Arsenal has to be in that situation [at the top in the Premier League and Champions League]," he said. "If they are not, it means people are not expecting big enough things. That [pressure] is what we all want."

October

Mikel was an ever-present in Arsene Wenger's first team during the month, starting in every available Premier League and Champions League match - including the crucial away victory in Marseille and that dazzling win at Stamford Bridge.

November

Mikel was a virtual ever-present, starting every available Premier League and Champions League fixture. His form alongside Alex Song and Aaron Ramsey was encouraging as the team continued its impressive run of form in European and domestic football.

December

Mikel scored his third Premier League goal of the season in the 4-0 win over Wigan at the start of the month. He was also an ever-present in Arsene Wenger's starting XI, featuring in all six league matches. “Every side in the Premier League works hard but one goal is not enough," he said. "We have to be ruthless at home and keep more clean sheets to make sure we don’t drop points. We have to stand up now.”

January

Mikel was a permanent fixture of the first team until he suffered an injury ahead of the Swansea game. But January remained positive for the Spaniard, who captained Arsenal for the first time in the FA Cup win over Leeds. Mikel returned at the end of the month as a late substitute in the fourth-round win over Aston Villa. “It was really pleasing for me to be captain for a club like Arsenal, it's unbelievable,” he said. I just want to thank my team-mates for the effort, and my manager for the support."

February

Mikel started every game in all competitions during February. The midfielder scored his fourth Arsenal goal of the season in the 7-1 victory over Blackburn, before playing his part in the brilliant North London derby win over Tottenham. “I just try to balance the team a little bit," he said. "Sometimes I would like to go forward more, but I’ve still had chances and the goal [against Blackburn] was my sixth this year, which isn’t bad. I don't want to be the main man; we all know who the main man is and that’s Robin. He is the leader, he is the one who makes a real difference."

March

Mikel was a virtual ever-present in March, missing only the Champions League win over AC Milan with a minor injury. The highlight of the month came in the 3-0 win over Aston Villa with his superb 30-yard free-kick to seal a comfortable win for Arsenal. “He is always 100 per cent focused and committed and that is what you want from a real professional," said Arsene Wenger. "He brings the best out of other players. I believe he is a winner and a fighter as well. I think he possesses both aspects of the game of a real midfielder - that means he can defend and he can attack. That is what we looked for.”

April

Mikel's season was cut disappointingly short with an ankle injury suffered in the defeat against Wigan. The midfielder had enjoyed a blistering start to the month with the superb late winner against Manchester City. “He is a player you don't like to lose because he is an organiser, a winner and has great qualities,” said manager Arsene Wenger. “He has 90-minute focus on the pitch and what typifies him well is the goal he scored against City."

May

Mikel missed Arsenal's final two games with an ankle injury.