2012/13 Review: Quotes of the Season

It's the end of another dramatic season, and our 2012/13 review continues today with a selection of quotes from Arsenal's campaign.

"Santi Cazorla is a great signing for us. He is a player with good experience at both club and international level, who will add significant quality to our squad. He is a versatile, attacking midfield player who can play comfortably on either side of the pitch or centrally. He has good pace, is technically gifted and will be a huge asset to Arsenal Football Club."
Arsene Wenger's high hopes for new signing Santi Cazorla

“We are prepared and had anticipated the situation for a long, long time. We didn't manage to extend Van Persie's contract, we had to act and that is what we did."
Wenger explains his decision to sell Robin van Persie

"We lack a little bit of oil in our engine in the final third."
Wenger after his new-look side started with two goalless draws

"From the moment that I went out there, the fans were great. Even before the game when I was meeting Arsenal fans they were positive and all I can do now is prove to them that I can get back to the level I was at before and show then what I can do."

Jack Wilshere enjoys his long-awaited return to action against QPR

"I have lost twice 7-1, once I lost 8-3 and once I won 9-3 and now 7-5. But this game was one I will remember always because it was from 4-0 down and I don't think anyone here believed that we could come back. But we did it and we deserved to win."
Andrey Arshavin after Arsenal beat Reading 7-5

"We went from disaster to pride - because we at least came back in the second half with a decent performance."
Wenger's take on the win at the Madejski Stadium

"It was very good to score because we were one man up and they were dropping off. I kept standing in the box and tried to be lucky. The ball from Theo was very good and it was a good day to score."
Per Mertesacker relishes his first goal for Arsenal - against Spurs

“We are delighted that these five young players have all signed new long-term contracts. The plan is to build a team around a strong basis of young players, in order to get them to develop their talent at the Club."
Wenger after Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Carl Jenkinson, Kieran Gibbs and Aaron Ramsey penned new long-term deals in December

"It’s difficult to play this kind of game. I know people will say ‘it’s League Two’, but a cup game is a cup game. In football you always have a chance if you give everything. They did that tonight and we put ourselves in a difficult situation by being 1-0 down."
The boss reflects on a giant-killing at the hands of Bradford

"It is difficult to play and block out that side of it, but I tried to do the best I could and hopefully everyone was happy with what I did. I always wanted to stay and I am happy that myself and the Club have come to an agreement… There has been so much speculation for so long, and I am very pleased my future is sorted."
Theo Walcott signs a new long-term deal

"He has the characteristics to play our game because he is very mobile, has a good left foot and is very good in combination play. That is vital in our style of play."
Wenger on why he signed Nacho Monreal

“Every time we lose a derby there is going to be disappointment but we have to pick ourselves up. We have 10 days until the next game so we have to make sure we are prepared for that."
Wojciech Szczesny absorbs the defeat at Spurs

“The big thing for us was getting that result at Bayern. I think we're more or less the only team that's won there this season so it just gives everybody a belief that we're doing alright. It was an important game for us.”
Steve Bould on a turning point in Germany

"They've shown a combination of quality but attitude as well. In the modern day, I always admire the way they behaved and their focus every day in training. We had some big lows with Bradford, with Blackburn and with Bayern at home. You could never see that the players could dismantle or that the group was not united. That's not easy in the modern game."
Wenger praises his players after fourth place is secured