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2013 Review: Arsenal Quotes of the Year

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Carl Jenkinson
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Carl Jenkinson

There have been a whole host of interesting, revealing and amusing Arsenal-related quotes over the past 12 months. Here are some of the very best:

“I believe the surprising thing for me is that he is in advance [of his scheduled recovery]. I expected him to be back next year in February, at his best. He looks to be there much earlier than I expected him to be.”
Arsene Wenger on Jack Wilshere’s recovery from injury

“We know how influential we can be to some of the kids who are in really bad conditions or a family that hasn’t got the power to create a good environment around kids. It’s really tough so it’s great we are able to do something about it.”
Mikel Arteta waxes lyrical about the Club’s charity matchday

"Does Odemwingie need a place to stay tonight?!"

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

“Football and Arsenal have been my life and I have so many fantastic memories from my career. It has been a privilege to have represented Arsenal Football Club for more than 40 years. A great club with great values.”
Pat Rice gives thanks upon receiving his MBE

“He said that Arsenal was a massive club, the people are great and it’s a big family.”
Nacho Monreal reveals what Santi Cazorla told him ahead of his move

“Does Odemwingie need a place to stay tonight?!”
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain tweets his support to West Brom striker on deadline day

“He is a very brave man who was bold enough at the time to appoint me. First of all I would like to thank him and wish him well. I hope that he recovers well.”
Arsene Wenger pays tribute to Peter Hill-Wood

“A special thanks to all the wonderful Arsenal fans who supported me during this period here at Arsenal. I leave not with a 'goodbye’, but with a 'see you soon’”
Andre Santos shows his appreciation before heading on loan to Gremio

“When I was young my team in the UK was always Arsenal. Bergkamp and Henry were my favourites.”
Swansea striker Michu nails his colours to the mast

“I’m very happy for Dennis that he gets it. He has what we want to have at the Club: dedication, huge desire to win and a touch of class as well. I believe he had what you need to have if you want to be recognised. Print your name in the spirit of people with with elegance and class.”
Arsene Wenger on the news that Dennis Bergkamp will get his own statue

“My idol was always Tomas Rosicky. He had such a good eye for an opening and knew where his team-mates were, and he was so quick.”
Borussia Dortmund’s Marco Reus on his childhood inspiration

"Like Zidane or Ronaldinho, he can be one of those players who marks an era."

Cazorla on Ozil

“I promised myself I would make sure I did things well and, considering the money that Arsenal spent on me, I didn’t want to let anyone down.”
Santi Cazorla on making an impact at the Club

“It is difficult to imagine English football without him, but it’s now a reality and a fact.” Arsene Wenger pays tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson

“Dad sent me a text before the Brazil game saying, 'Make sure you do something good'. The next day he sent one which said, 'I like it when you listen to me!’”
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on his goal at the Maracana

“It’s always nice to see that you are loved and famous all over the world. When you live in your bubble you don’t always realise just how big Arsenal is.”
Arsene Wenger on the support the Club received on tour in Asia

“I’ve been signing autographs and shirts - I’m not used to that so much. I also sang [an initiation] song for the team as well! I sang the Swedish national anthem. It’s easy and they don’t understand it, so it was cool.”
Kris Olsson beds into first-team life on tour

“Blown away by our fans here in Indonesia. The love and support you show us is unbelievable! Thank you from me and all the boys!”
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain expresses his delight after touching down in Jakarta

“The surprising thing of the night was that it felt like we played at home and Indonesia played away. It was quite amazing how many fans know every club song! The whole night was a fantastic atmosphere.”
Arsene Wenger is bowled over at the team’s first tour game in Jakarta

“The way the fans have behaved with us since we have been here has been absolutely fantastic. The only way we could give them that back was by performing on the pitch. They were very excited for the [Vietnam] game and I think we put on a good show with a lot of goals.”
Mikel Arteta on beating Vietnam 7-1 in Hanoi

"Before you had gladiators in Rome and today the gladiators are us when we go in the middle of the stadium and play in front of 60,000 people"

Mathieu Flamini

“The fans out here have really given us a lift. It's a boost that you need during pre-season so we're very grateful for that. The support and passion the fans have - it's miles better than playing a [pre-season friendly] in England in front of 5,000 people. It feels like a cup final when you're playing out there and you have an atmosphere like that.”
Carl Jenkinson enjoys the Asia Tour

“This is my city - a lot of fans came here so it was very exciting. It makes me feel very good [to see Ryo shirts on the fans]. It's great for me as a football player. It's an unbelievable feeling to score.”
Ryo on scoring in his home town of Nagoya

“I like to think that people I have worked with can become managers. First of all it maybe means that I've given them a little taste to do it and at least I've not disgusted them from doing the job!”
Arsene Wenger on influencing his former players

“I would have come here for free. That wouldn’t have been a problem. When I spoke to Arsene Wenger on the phone he was full of respect and as a player I need that.”
Mesut Ozil on joining Arsenal

“After what the fitness coach told me after some speed tests, I am quicker than I was five years ago. It was funny because we made a joke that it was like wine, getting better with age!”
Mathieu Flamini on his return to Arsenal

“Mesut is a player of a different kind. He is a joy to watch and has a lot of talent. Like Zidane or Ronaldinho, he can be one of those players who marks an era.”
Santi Cazorla on Ozil’s arrival

“Arsenal had a strong team anyway, but Mesut makes them the best team in England. Mesut is a genius on the field. There is no other way to describe him.”
Ozil’s former Real Madrid team-mate Sami Khedira predicts big things

“Very emotional return, but what better way than with a win. Fans were absolutely incredible throughout.”
Nicklas Bendtner on making his Arsenal comeback against West Brom

“We have to compliment Arsenal. They deserved the win. When you come up against a team like this one, there are differences. They were just devastating early on.”
Napoli’s Marek Hamsik is full of admiration for the Gunners

"Arsenal play the Arsene Wenger football and I like it. As a fan of football, it’s the most beautiful kind of football you can watch"

Jurgen Klopp

“We are in touch with him but I trust his legendary strength to get over it. I'm confident that he still has the fighting spirit he always had to get over it and that he will come out in a successful way.”
Arsene Wenger shows his support for Club legend Pat Rice

“Before you had gladiators in Rome and today the gladiators are us when we go in the middle of the stadium and play in front of 60,000 people.”
Mathieu Flamini offers some fighting talk

“Arsenal play the Arsene Wenger football and I like it. As a fan of football, it’s the most beautiful kind of football you can watch.”
Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp is an admirer

“It was certainly one of the best and one I enjoyed the most. It was a mix of technical quality, speedy thinking and quick reactions.”
Arsene Wenger on THAT Jack Wilshere goal against Norwich

“I was a midfielder and I would have loved to have what he has. He can defend, he can attack, he can score goals - what more do you want? And he’s young - another quality that I have lost as well!”
Arsene Wenger casts envious glances at Aaron Ramsey’s ability - and youth!

“We had him as a boy of 15 or 16 and I made him sign a long contract twice, so that means I always believed in his qualities.”
Arsene Wenger on showing faith in Nicklas Bendtner

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