2012–13 Arsenal F.C. season

127th season in existence of Arsenal F.C.

Arsenal 2012–13 football season
Arsenal
2012–13 season
ChairmanPeter Hill-Wood
ManagerArsène Wenger
StadiumEmirates Stadium
Premier League4th
FA CupFifth round
League CupQuarter-finals
UEFA Champions LeagueRound of 16
Top goalscorerLeague:
Theo Walcott (14)

All:
Theo Walcott (21)
Highest home attendance60,112 (vs. Manchester United, 28 April 2013, Premier League)
Lowest home attendance58,351 (vs. Coventry City, 26 September 2012, League Cup)
Average home league attendance59,927
(in all competitions)
Home colours
Away colours
Third colours

The 2012–13 season was Arsenal Football Club's 21st season in the Premier League and 87th consecutive season in the top flight of English football.[1][2] Arsenal participated in the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League, after finishing third in the previous Premier League season. The League Cup however was out of their reach, and despite an entertaining cup run, which included 13 goals scored in two games, Arsenal lost to fourth-division Bradford City in the quarter-finals on penalties. In the FA Cup, Arsenal were knocked out by Championship side Blackburn Rovers in the fifth round. The Champions League also proved fruitless, as despite a valiant effort in Bavaria winning 2–0, they were ultimately knocked out on the away goals rule against Bayern Munich, thus extending their trophy drought for an eighth season. The highest scoring game in their season was the famous 7–5 win in the League Cup (after extra time), where they came back from 4 goals down to beat Reading. Arsenal's highest scoring league win was the 7–3 win against Newcastle United in December; this was also their joint highest-scoring Premier League game of all time. This season, Arsenal finished fourth after having to close another large points gap (like last season) between themselves and their North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, who they beat 5-2 for the second season running.[3]

Review

Pre-season

Arsenal's pre-season transfers started as early as 30 April 2012, when Arsenal announced they were going to sign German international Lukas Podolski from 1. FC Köln for an undisclosed fee,[4] thought to be around £10.9 million.[5] Podolski officially joined Arsenal when the summer transfer window opened on 1 July.[6] Podolski became the second German player to join the club in the space of a year, following the arrival of Per Mertesacker from Werder Bremen last summer, whom Podolski himself stated, played a big part in the transfer after talking about life at the Emirates.[7] As well as early transfer news, Arsenal had early staff news, whereby, after 48 years of being associated with Arsenal, assistant manager Pat Rice retired at the end of the previous season. He was replaced on the same day by academy team manager, Steve Bould.[8] Pat Rice played a big role at Arsenal, and was highly praised following his retirement by both the players and by manager Arsène Wenger.[9]

Arsenal's pre-season schedule saw them take part in the second Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup (in memory of the former Southampton owner Markus Liebherr[10]), hosted by Southampton in two 45-minute matches against what was originally Scottish club Rangers, but was later confirmed to be Anderlecht due to the financial troubles faced by Rangers,[11] and the hosts themselves. The competition was held on 14 July 2012 as a round-robin system with Arsenal winning their first match 1–0 thanks to a close-range finish by Henri Lansbury, and despite losing 5–4 on penalties to Southampton (following a Gervinho 35th-minute equaliser to Jay Rodriguez's 31st-minute opener in regulation time), they had still accumulated enough points to win the cup.

Arsenal then travelled to the Far East, in a tour similar to that they embarked upon before their 2011–12 season. Arsenal started their tour by travelling to Malaysia to play a Malaysia League XI in Kuala Lumpur. After an open-training session (which was attended by 30,000 fans in the previous season),[12] Arsenal scored two late goals from German youngster Thomas Eisfeld and fellow reserve team player Chuks Aneke following Azmi Muslim's opener to win the match 2–1.[citation needed] From there, they travelled to China to play fellow Premier League team Manchester City in Beijing in the inaugural China Cup.[13] With extra significance due to the 2012 Summer Olympics, the match was held at the 2008 Olympic Stadium, and similar to the Malaysia tour, Arsenal attempted to get closer to their Chinese fans.[14] Arsenal ultimately lost 0–2, with two goals in the last five minutes of the first half by Pablo Zabaleta and Yaya Touré to lose the China Cup.

Arsenal then travelled to Hong Kong to play Kitchee, champions of their national league. The game gave the club's huge fan base in Hong Kong the opportunity to see Arsenal play live in an entertaining encounter that ended 2–2 after 90 minutes after Eisfeld equalised late on (which should have led to a penalty shootout, but it was later scrapped). Arsenal played in Hong Kong for the first time in 17 years, addressing their growing commitment to Asia.[15]

They were then going to travel to Nigeria to play the Nigeria national team[16] in their first visit to Africa since visiting South Africa in 1993,[17] however this was later postponed till summer 2013 based on concerns with the host city.[18] Instead, the club sent three first-team players (Bacary Sagna, Mertesacker and new signing Podolski) on 28 July 2012 to engage with supporters in the region.[19]

The last stop on Arsenal's pre-season schedule saw a repeat of last season's pre-season fixture against 1. FC Köln, resulting in an immediate goal-scoring return for new signing Lukas Podolski to his previous home ground. The fixture, which was scheduled six days before the start of the Premier League season, featured the likes of new signings Podolski, Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla in a commanding 4–0 win with an early opener from Thomas Vermaelen, a penalty and a close range strike from Podolski in the first half, and a finish from an acute angle from Gervinho in the second half to complete the rout. As the 2012 Olympics were being held in London, it was announced that Arsenal would not host the Emirates Cup tournament as part of their usual pre-season schedule, citing unnecessary increased pressure on London's infrastructure. However, Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis stated that the Emirates Cup would be hosted by Arsenal in 2013, with a host of "top" clubs being lined up already.[20]

Robin van Persie (C), scored 96 Premier League goals in 8 seasons.

As the previous season drew to a close, Arsenal announced the release of seven players on 22 May 2012, five of whom played professionally for Arsenal, including Manuel Almunia, who made 175 first-team appearances for the club (including the 2006 UEFA Champions League Final), and Gavin Hoyte who was the only other released player to receive a first-team cap (against Manchester City on 22 November 2009).[21]

Soon afterwards Arsenal announced their progress on the staffing situation at the Emirates, and despite Steve Bould already being announced as the new assistant manager, the Club officially announced that Bould had indeed been promoted, Neil Banfield would be promoted to being first-team coach, after managing the Arsenal reserve team for the past eight seasons,[22] and that Terry Burton would become the reserve-team manager.[23] On 8 June 2012, Arsenal continued their transfer activity with the sale of Oğuzhan Özyakup to Turkish club Beşiktaş. Although it is undisclosed by Arsenal, Beşiktaş confirmed that a four-year contract had been agreed with Özyakup and a fee of around £405,000 agreed with Arsenal for the 19-year-old midfielder.[24] Arsenal then announced their second "big" transfer of the summer transfer window, with the signing of French striker Olivier Giroud from Montpellier for a reported fee of £12.8 million.[25] Giroud was top scorer in the French league last season and Arsène Wenger stated that he expects him to flourish.[26] He was primarily signed as a backup (rather than a replacement) to golden boot winner Robin van Persie, in a bid to challenge this season's Premier League title and win the club's first trophy for seven years.[27]

On 4 July 2012, however, a transfer saga, similar to the ones of Cesc Fàbregas and Samir Nasri last summer, took a big step as club captain and player-of-the-season[28] Van Persie revealed that he would not renew his Arsenal contract, and would therefore become a free agent at the end of the current season, signalling the end of an eight-year career at the club following his move from Feyenoord in 2004.[29] This eventually led to the confession that Giroud had actually been signed as a replacement for the Dutch talisman.[30] Meanwhile, on 29 June, Arsenal announced that a further seven academy players had signed professional contracts.[31][32]

To signal the intent of reducing surplus players, Arsenal then announced that a £6 million agreement had been reached for the sale of Carlos Vela on 17 July 2012. Vela featured 62 times for Arsenal, scoring 11 goals, and he was the first member of the first-team squad to be sold in the summer transfer window. A week later Arsenal announced that defender Laurent Koscielny had signed a new long-term contract after a series of consistent appearances in the first-team last season. Throughout the summer transfer window, manager Arsène Wenger had promised the club's fans that a headline transfer would be made, so to compete for the title, and this materialised on 7 August, when Spanish midfielder Santi Cazorla signed on a four-year contract for a reported transfer fee of £16.5 million, making him the most expensive player in the history of the club.[33] With the sale of Van Persie being confirmed by the club for a fee thought to be around £24 million,[34] on 17 August Arsenal revealed that Thomas Vermaelen had taken over the captaincy from the Dutchman, with Mikel Arteta being given the position of vice-captain.

August

The Premier League fixture list was announced on 18 June 2012 and it gave Arsenal a home game against Sunderland to open the new season. Both matches last season produced a 2–1 win in Arsenal's favour, which promised an entertaining opening match for the club. Although Arsenal had the better of the chances, they played out a 0–0 draw with the north-eastern club. Shortly after, Arsenal announced that an agreement had been reached with Barcelona for the sale of Alex Song, and two days later, on 20 August 2012, Arsenal announced that he had indeed been sold.[35] Meanwhile, in contrast to last season, Arsenal did not have any other commitments in August apart from competing in the Premier League, with no English contingent participating in the play-off round of the Champions League. This therefore allowed Arsenal ample time to prepare for their next test at the Britannia Stadium in their second game against Stoke City,[36] however it ended as a second successive 0–0 draw, and although their previous defensive frailties were not present throughout August, a goalless month was a cause for concern. Arsenal had no disciplinary issues in their opening two games, which epitomised the controlled, albeit unexciting, start to the season.

On a transfer deadline day that was dominated by the club's Premier League rivals, Arsenal only announced departures, as first team players Nicklas Bendtner and Park Chu-young departed on season-long loans, to Italian giants Juventus and La Liga club Celta de Vigo respectively. Despite manager Arsène Wenger stating that he is open to transfers before the window closes,[37] Arsenal did not shadow the events of last season, in buying no players in the final week of the transfer window.

September

Arsenal began a series a tough matches against Liverpool at Anfield, where the Gunners registered both their first goals and cards of the season. New signings Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla paired up for both goals, as Podolski finished low to the goalkeeper's left in the 31st minute, and Cazorla smashed a near post shot past goalkeeper Pepe Reina in the 68th minute to give Arsenal a commanding 2–0 win over Liverpool. Arsenal continued their unbeaten start with an emphatic victory over Southampton that rested fears over the Gunner's lack of scoring potential. A brace from Gervinho, goals from Podolski and Theo Walcott, and two own goals capped an almost perfect display, with the only error coming from goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny, as his spill gifted the visitors a goal, and dealt Arsenal their first defensive blip of the season, in a 6–1 thrashing.

Away from the Premier League, Arsenal started their Champions League campaign with a group stage match against debutants Montpellier at the Stade de la Mosson. Dubbed as favourites, Arsenal did not begin the match in such commanding fashion, as a penalty, conceded by Thomas Vermaelen, was put away by Younès Belhanda in the ninth minute, but two goals in quick succession from Podolski and Gervinho meant Arsenal turned the game around to come out as 2–1 winners, a scoreline that reflected the quality of the two teams. Arsenal's tough month continued, with arguable the toughest test that awaited them in the entire season – an away tie at champions Manchester City. Despite the constant troubles that have come from zonal marking, Arsenal used this technique from set-pieces all throughout the game, which ultimately led to Joleon Lescott's 40th-minute header giving City the lead until Laurent Koscielny's 82nd-minute equaliser, giving Arsenal a deserved draw at the Etihad. The draw extended Arsenal's unbeaten run to five games and earned the team plaudits around the footballing world.

Continuing with the packed fixture list, came another midweek tie against Coventry City in the League Cup. Arsenal fielded a team mixed with experience and young talent in a convincing 6–1 win over the League One outfit. Olivier Giroud opened his account for the club, with a clever finish over goalkeeper Murphy, and goals from youngsters Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ignasi Miquel, a brace from Walcott, and an instinctive finish by Andrey Arshavin capped a satisfying night for the Arsenal faithful. Arsenal's final game of September came in the form of a visit from table-topping Chelsea side to the Emirates Stadium. Despite Gervinho's strike late in the first half, goals from Fernando Torres and Juan Mata, both from set plays, on either side of the half way mark, highlighted the club's underlying defensive frailties, in an unconvincing display from the Gunners.

October

The Madjeski Stadium scoreboard dictating the historic Arsenal win over Reading in the League Cup on 30 October 2012

Arsenal began October with a 3–1 Premier League win against West Ham United at the Boleyn Ground. After conceding an early goal from Mohamed Diamé, Arsenal netted late twice, including Olivier Giroud's first Premier League goal. Following an international break, Arsenal travelled to Carrow Road to face third-bottom Norwich City, and lost 1–0 through a 20-minute Grant Holt goal after a Vito Mannone spill, in an unconvincing display from the Gunners. Their poor form continued in a Champions League clash with Schalke 04, conceding twice in a 2–0 loss (their first at the Emirates in a European group stage match),[38] putting Arsenal second in Group B with three games to play.

Arsenal then produced a respectable performance in their next match against a struggling Queens Park Rangers in the Premier League, thanks to another late goal, this time from Mikel Arteta, following Stéphane Mbia's red card dismissal. Their final game of October was an away League Cup fourth-round tie against Reading, where after having fallen to a four-goal deficit after 37 minutes, goals from Theo Walcott (twice), Olivier Giroud and Laurent Koscielny managed to equalise the match to 4–4 after 90 minutes (despite a controversial 90+6th-minute equaliser, when only four minutes of added time was indicated). Theo Walcott and Marouane Chamakh (twice) then netted in extra time, with Pavel Pogrebnyak scoring an additional goal for Reading, completing one of football's most inspiring comebacks, as well as one of the most remarkable matches in League Cup history (as well as the highest scoring),[39] to a final score of 7–5 to Arsenal, who have never lost to a Reading side in all ten occasions that the teams have met. Arsenal became the first side to have scored over six goals in two consecutive League Cup matches in this record breaking and inspiring display. They were drawn against League Two Bradford City in the quarter-finals and entered November on a high.

November

Arsenal's November started as poorly as September had ended and October had started, and despite a tough test against Manchester United, an unlikely three points for the Gunners did not materialise in a lacklustre performance that only brought about two shots on target, including a late consolation by Santi Cazorla, and a disappointing 2–1 loss at Old Trafford. Arsenal extended their losing streak at Old Trafford to six seasons, in a performance that left Arsenal sixth in the Premier League table, nine points off the top. Arsenal, frustratingly for everyone connected with the club, showed another stuttering performance against table-topping Schalke 04 in the Champions League. They created a 2–0 lead inside 26 minutes with goals against the run of play, from Theo Walcott (following a mix-up in defence) and Giroud, however, Schalke deservedly pegged Arsenal back with goals either side of half time, from Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Peruvian Jefferson Farfán, as the Gunners left Gelsenkirchen with a point. The result, which Walcott said Arsenal would have taken before the game,[40] left Arsenal a point and a place behind Schalke, in a widely open group.

Four days later, Arsenal surrendered another two-goal lead, this time created by Lukas Podolski and Giroud, into a 3–2 deficit following a brace (including a penalty conceded by Arteta) for Dimitar Berbatov and a header from Alexander Kačaniklić for Fulham. Giroud scored in the 69th minute to level the game at 3–3, thus making the game the first time he scored in consecutive games, and two goals in one single game, but the Gunners were denied late on after Mark Schwarzer saved a penalty from Arteta which would have given Arsenal a 4–3 lead in the 90+5th minute. The draw meant Arsenal had won only one of the previous six Premier League and Champions League games (L,L,W,L,D,D), which piled more pressure on Arsène Wenger. With an uncanny resemblance to last season, Arsenal entered their first North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur on the back of a poor run of results, while still managing coming out as 5–2 winners against their bitter rivals, who were once again down to ten men. Inside the first 20 minutes, former Gunner Emmanuel Adebayor went from "hero to zero" as he gave Spurs an early lead before getting sent off nine minutes later. This allowed the Gunners a route back into the game, which eventually came from the unlikely source of Per Mertesacker with his first goal for the club inside 25 minutes. Arsenal then finished the half strongly with goals from Podolski and Giroud to give them a 3–1 lead. In the second half, Arsenal soaked up some early pressure from Spurs before Cazorla scored when the team were on a magnificent break. Despite Gareth Bale's goal in the 71st minute, Arsenal made their man-advantage count, as Walcott completed the rout three minutes from the end.

In Arsenal's fifth game of the month, they faced a Montpellier side in poor form, and in a far less entertaining game than the last, Arsenal came out as solid 2–0 winners, with a clean sheet. Two sublime finishes from Jack Wilshere, his first in 725 days,[41] and Podolski, a left-foot volley reminiscent of former captain Van Persie, allowed Arsenal to secure qualification to the knockout stage of the competition, with only the top two places to be settled on the last matchday between the Gunners and Schalke.[42]

Arsenal returned to poor form in their next match however, as they played out a dull 0–0 draw with relegation-threatened Aston Villa, meaning the Gunners lost ground yet again on the top four sides. Yet again, Arsenal played out an uninspiring draw against fellow Champions League-chasers Everton. The game started well for the Gunners, as Walcott scored inside 52 seconds at Goodison Park, but Marouane Fellaini equalised just before the half-hour mark to level the score at 1–1, and so it stayed until the end, as Arsenal finished November in seventh place in the Premier League table.

December

The Emirates Stadium scoreboard after the 7–3 victory over Newcastle United on 29 December 2012

Arsenal started December losing 0–2 to aSwansea City side under Michael Laudrup, with two goals scored by Michu for Swansea late on, in what the BBC called "Arsenal's worst start to a season under Arsene Wenger".[43] Next up was a Champions League visit to Olympiacos. Consecutive losses were on the cards for Arsenal, as they named a weakened 18-man squad ahead of vital Premier League games for the club. Despite taking a 38th-minute lead with a low drive from Tomáš Rosický, Arsenal surrendered yet another lead with two goals in under 10 minutes from Ioannis Maniatis and Konstantinos Mitroglou to give Olympiacos a 2–1 win. Had Arsenal won the game, they would have gone top of the table, as Montpellier managed a draw against Schalke 04, but instead they finished second, setting up a tough test against Bayern Munich in the last-16.[44]

Arsenal's fortunes turned however, in their next match against high-flying West Bromwich Albion, where a controversial penalty for a perceived dive from Cazorla gifted Arsenal the lead, when it was put down the centre of the goal by Arteta on 26 minutes. Arsenal then doubled their lead, this time on a blatant foul on Oxlade-Chamberlain, with another penalty from Arteta to finish the game 2–0 in Arsenal's favour. It was the Gunners first win in four Premier League games, and it lifted the team up to seventh in the table. Spirits dropped yet again, however, as a near full-strength Arsenal squad humiliatingly crashed out to League Two side Bradford City in the League Cup, 3–2 on penalties, following an 88th-minute equaliser by Thomas Vermaelen, who incidentally missed the final penalty. This left Arsenal with interests in three competitions.

Arsenal then entered the Christmas period with a Monday night fixture against then-bottom Reading. The match ended in a familiar scoreline that lifted the Arsenal fans; 5–2. Cazorla scored his first hat-trick for the club, and also provided an assist for Walcott's goal, and the fifth of the match; Lukas Podolski opened the scoring inside 15 minutes. Arsenal continued their revival with a solid victory over Wigan Athletic with the Gunners recording three consecutive wins for the first time since March last season. An Arteta penalty in the 60th minute gave Arsenal a 1–0 win and raised the team to fourth in the table. Arsenal have a larger break than other teams in the Premier League however, as the West Ham game was postponed due to a tube strike in the London Underground.[45] Arsenal returned to action in style on 29 December against Newcastle by emphatically beating the Tyneside team 7–3. Arsenal were never behind in the game, but were pegged-back three times by two goals from Demba Ba and one from Sylvain Marveaux following goals from Podolski, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Walcott. However, following another two goals from Walcott (to complete his hat-trick), and a brace from substitute Giroud, Arsenal rounded off an impressive display to give confidence to the fans ahead of the crucial month January.

January

Theo Walcott was top scorer of the season at the time he signed his contract

Arsenal started 2013 in disappointing fashion with a result that Wenger called "undeserved":[46] a 1–1 draw against Southampton. Arsenal were gifted their goal with an own goal from Guly do Prado (Arsenal's third of the season, with the previous two also coming against Southampton), after Gastón Ramírez opened the scoring for the Saints. The result was the last of a four-game winning streak ahead of a tough couple of matches against Premier League champions Manchester City, and European champions Chelsea. Arsenal completed their first transfer business of the January transfer window, with the loan of Moroccan striker Marouane Chamakh to West Ham on 4 January 2013.[47] Another loan was announced a day later as Swiss centre-back Johan Djourou joined Hannover 96.[48] Both players had yet to feature in the Premier League this season for the Gunners, and both deals were for the rest of the season. Arsenal started their FA Cup run against Swansea in the third round, and following an uneventful first half, the second half sprung into life as both teams scored late on (Podolski and Gibbs for the Gunners, and Danny Graham for Swansea) after Michu opened the scoring in the 58th minute. The final score of 2–2 meant both teams would play a replay.

A week later, Arsenal slumped to a controversial yet disappointing loss to the champions Manchester City as Koscielny was sent off in the ninth minute after fouling Edin Džeko in the penalty area. Despite missing the resulting penalty, Džeko and James Milner gave City a comfortable 2–0 victory. Vincent Kompany was sent off late in the game leaving both teams with ten players. The stadium rang out in a chorus of jeering at the final whistle, aimed at both the Gunners and the referee. Arsenal turned their fortunes, however, as they progressed 1–0 winners against Swansea City into the FA Cup fourth round. Jack Wilshere buried a shot from outside the penalty area to keep Arsenal's trophy hopes alive. Arsenal fans soon had further encouragement as striker Theo Walcott signed a new contract with the club, for an undisclosed length of time. Arsène Wenger said he was "delighted" to secure the contract of a "strong player and also a great person".[49]

Soon after, Arsenal were subjected to a second consecutive Premier League loss against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Another poor start resulted in two goals conceded, which was a similar situation as their previous league defeat. Despite Walcott managing to pull one goal back in the second half, the game eventually ended 2–1, leaving Arsenal's hope of finishing in the top four in serious doubt. Some doubt was erased only three days later, as four goals in ten early second-half minutes meant Arsenal romped to a 5–1 victory over West Ham in the rescheduled match, originally to have been played on Boxing Day. Two goals from Giroud, and one each from Walcott, Podolski and Cazorla left the Gunners just four points off their north London rivals Tottenham in fourth. Arsenal then progressed into the fifth round of the FA Cup in another thriller three days later, with a 3–2 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion in the Falmer Stadium. Giroud scored yet another brace, and Walcott scored once to increase his goal tally to 17 for the season, as Arsenal set up a tie against Championship side Blackburn Rovers in the next round.

Back in the Premier League, Arsenal continued their increasingly frustrating habit of starting games slowly, going 2–0 behind against Liverpool inside an hour thanks to goals from Luis Suárez and Jordan Henderson. However, two goals in quick succession from in-form strikers Giroud and Walcott battled Arsenal back to a 2–2 draw. Giroud spurned a late chance to collect a hat-trick of braces and win the game for the Gunners. Following an injury picked up by Kieran Gibbs in that game, Arsenal rushed to complete a late signing of Spanish international left-back Nacho Monreal from Málaga on deadline day, for an undisclosed contract length and fee (thought to be around £8.5 million), though disappointed Gunners fans by not making a move for linked Barcelona striker David Villa.[50]

February

Arsenal started February solidly, with a commanding yet disciplined performance against Stoke. A deflected free kick from Lukas Podolski late in the game and a brilliant display from debutant Monreal left the Gunners in a promising position as teams around them dropped points. For the first time in six attempts, Arsenal climbed the table to fifth with a 1–0 win over Sunderland. Arsenal had plenty of chances throughout the first half and parts of the second, and Sunderland had the chance to equalise in the second-half, but it was Cazorla's ninth goal of the season that was the difference of the two teams. Shortly thereafter, Arsenal announced the loan departure of left-back André Santos to Brazilian club Grêmio until the end of the season.[51] This came after the signing of Spanish international Monreal pushed Santos further down the pecking order. With an upcoming fixture in the Champions League, it was believed that Vermaelen or Gibbs would have to return to play left-back.[52]

Despite the strong start to the month, Arsenal crashed out of the FA Cup with a disappointing 1–0 loss to Championship club Blackburn Rovers. Although their opponents only had three shots on target,[53] Arsenal rued not putting their chances away throughout the game, and left themselves with little hope of ending their trophy drought this season. Three days later, Arsenal resumed their Champions League campaign with a Round of 16 clash against Bayern Munich. In the first leg of a very challenging tie at the Emirates, they slumped to a 3–1 first-leg defeat, with Podolski scoring against his old club to give Arsenal a slight chance (albeit needing three goals at the Allianz Arena) in the second leg. Toni Kroos, Thomas Müller and Mario Mandžukić scored for Bayern. Needing to lift the fans, Arsenal played relegation-threatened Aston Villa in sight of a third-straight win in the Premier League. Arsenal did so with a brace from Santi Cazorla either side of an Andreas Weimann equaliser to stay four points adrift of North-London rivals Tottenham, who they played the following Sunday.

March

However, the North London derby ended in bitter disappointment for the "red side of North London" as Tottenham ran out 2–1 following two goals in quick succession from Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon late in the first-half, one of which being eventually cancelled out by Mertesacker's second goal for the club (both were against Tottenham this season). Arsenal then had a 10-day wait before their return leg in the Champions League, due to Everton's participation in the FA Cup. Though many resigned the Gunners to defeat, Arsenal had a valiant attempt to knock out their German opponents by winning 2–0 on the night (with a goal inside the first three minutes from Giroud and a goal in the last three minutes of the game from Laurent Koscielny), crashing out on away goals. However, they were the first team to defeat Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena this season and the first team not to concede against Bayern all season, giving huge confidence to the team both defensively and offensively in the final ten "cup-finals" of the Premier League season.[54] Arsenal stepped up once again to Wenger's rallying calls, as Arsenal recorded a second consecutive 2–0 victory in a tough encounter at the Liberty Stadium against Swansea. Goals in the second half from Nacho Monreal – his first for the club – and Gervinho kept Arsenal's top-four hopes alive. Arsenal's next match was after the international break, against a struggling Reading side who Arsenal had already scored 12 goals in two matches against this season (in all competitions). Arsenal made it 12 wins in all 12 games against Reading as goals from Gervinho, Cazorla, Giroud and Arteta ensured the Gunners ran out 4–1 winners (with Hal Robson-Kanu pulling one back for the Royals) and kept up their chase for the top four.

Laurent Koscielny again scored the crucial goal in Arsenal's final match of the season, similar to last season, that secured Arsenal's top four spot

April

Along with news that Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott were to return from injury soon, Arsenal fans were given more to cheer about as a spirited performance following Metersacker's sending off against West Brom lifted the Gunners temporarily up to fourth in the table. Two goals from Tomáš Rosický put Arsenal in a commanding position but a penalty scored by James Morrison on 71 minutes made for a nervy end as Arsenal eventually ran out 2–1 winners at The Hawthorns. Arsenal then started a period of three games in a week against Norwich, as a spirited comeback in the last seven minutes of the match ensured Arsenal went third in the Premier League table. Michael Turner opened the scoring for Norwich from a set piece but a trio of goals (including a controversial penalty) was scored by Arteta, Giroud and Podolski, as the Gunners ran out 3–1 winners.

Their next match was against fellow Champions League-chasers Everton, and after early Everton pressure Arsenal settled into the match, but was ultimately unable to score for the first time in 12 games, in a match that ended 0–0. The Gunners resumed their top four fight in a derby against Fulham that saw two men sent off (Steve Sidwell for Fulham and Giroud for Arsenal, who later lost his appeal for it to be rescinded) and an unlikely scorer in Per Mertesacker, as Arsenal won 1–0. Following a guard of honour to the newly crowned champions, Arsenal faced a Manchester United side with former captain Robin van Persie in tow. Theo Walcott scored early as Arsenal showed early signs of brilliance, but the goal was later cancelled out by a penalty, conceded by Sagna, from Van Persie. The match ended 1–1.

May

Arsenal entered a crucial period of the season with a game against newly relegated Queens Park Rangers, as Tottenham and Chelsea would play their game in hand against each other, leaving a straight battle to the top four Champions League qualification spots. Walcott again got the Gunners off to the perfect start with the fastest goal in the Premier League season so far, as well as the 12th fastest goal in Premier League history, after he put the Gunners ahead after 20 seconds. The game petered out, however, but it increased Arsenal's unbeaten run to 8 games, as the Gunners ran out 1–0 winners. Arsenal had a ten-day before their final home game of the season against newly crowned FA Cup winners Wigan in what proved to be a crucial game at both ends of the Premier League table. The game was won 4–1 by the Gunners, after goals from Podolski (2), Walcott and Aaron Ramsey cancelled out Shaun Maloney's free-kick strike. Wigan were subsequently relegated after an eight-year stay in the Premier League,[55] whilst Arsenal left their top four faith in their own hands by staying one point above rivals Tottenham. Although the result also presented an opportunity for an unprecedented "third place play-off", this was not needed following a Chelsea win over Everton, however Arsenal secured fourth spot as a 1–0 win over Newcastle (scored by Laurent Koscielny) meant Arsenal finished the season on 73 points, three more than the previous season and one more above rivals Tottenham. Arsenal thus qualified for the 2013–14 UEFA Champions League.

Following the season's completion, Arsenal revealed their top four players of the season as voted for by Arsenal Football Club members. In fourth place came the Spaniard Mikel Arteta for his consistent performances in the middle of midfield (which included recording the second highest number of passes in the campaign: 2750 at a 92% success rate) with 5% of the votes.[56] In third came Arsenal's top scorer Theo Walcott, whose tally of 21 goals in all competitions bettered that of any of his previous seasons at the club. He also held the feat of most assists of the campaign in an Arsenal shirt, as he deservedly claimed 12.7% of the votes.[57] In second place came Laurent Koscielny after taking over from captain Thomas Vermaelen as a main-stay in the heart of Arsenal's defence. A number of assured performances that included conceded only 5 goals in the final 10 games of the season handed the French defender 13.5% of all the votes.[58] Lastly, Arsenal's Player of Season award went to Spaniard Santi Cazorla, who Arsène Wenger described as "the perfect footballer". With 12 goals and 14 assists, Cazorla announced his arrival in English football with a bang, as he ran away with 55.7% of the votes in the club poll.[59]

Brief Season round-up

Overall, the Gunners had a reasonably successful Premier League campaign, although they failed to end the trophy drought. At season's end, Arsène Wenger promised to make some big signings and spend to get world-class players to help them challenge for trophies in the following seasons.

Key events

  • 30 April: German striker Lukas Podolski joins Arsenal for an undisclosed fee, thought be around £10.9 million,[5] from German club 1. FC Köln[60]
  • 22 May: The Club announces that they will be releasing five professional players − Manuel Almunia, George Brislen-Hall, Gavin Hoyte, Sean McDermott and Rhys Murphy, and two scholars − James Campbell and Jeffrey Monakana − at the end of their contracts on 30 June.[61]
  • 24 May: Following Pat Rice's retirement, Steve Bould and Neil Banfield become the assistant manager and first-team coach respectively. Boro Primorac remains a first-team coach alongside Banfield.[22]
  • 26 June: French striker Olivier Giroud joins Arsenal for an undisclosed fee, thought to be around £12.8 million,[62] from French club Montpellier[25]
  • 5 July: Arsenal announce that Terry Burton will complete the coaching staff list by becoming the reserve-team manager, following the promotion of Neil Banfield.[23]
  • 17 July: Arsenal announce that Mexican striker Carlos Vela will join Spanish club Real Sociedad on a four-year contract worth £6 million.[63]
  • 24 July: French defender Laurent Koscielny signs a new long-term contract.[64]
  • 7 August: Spanish midfielder Santi Cazorla joins Arsenal for an undisclosed fee, thought to be around £11.4 million,[65] from financially troubled Spanish club Málaga[33]
  • 16 August: Jack Wilshere is given the squad number 10, previously allocated to Robin van Persie[66]
  • 17 August: Following the departure of Robin van Persie for a reported fee of £24 million to Manchester United,[34] Thomas Vermaelen was promoted to club captain and Mikel Arteta was given the vice-captaincy.[67]
  • 18 August: Arsenal begin the 2012–13 Premier League season with a goalless draw at home to Sunderland.
  • 20 August: Arsenal announce the sale of Cameroonian midfielder Alex Song to Barcelona with the latter confirming that he had signed a five-year contract for a transfer fee of £14.9 million.[35][68]
  • 31 August: Arsenal announce the departures of Nicklas Bendtner and Park Chu-young on season-long loans to Juventus and Celta de Vigo respectively.[69][70]
  • 30 October: Arsenal recorded victory in the League Cup to a record-breaking 7–5 scoreline at the Madjeski Stadium, having been 4–0 down initially. The game had the most goals ever scored in a single League Cup match (12).[39]
  • 19 November: Midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong joins Championship side Charlton Athletic on loan until 1 January 2013[71]
  • 11 December: Arsenal crashed out of the League Cup after losing 3–2 on penalties to League Two side Bradford City; the first time in the club's history that a lower-league club knocked out the Gunners in the competition.[72]
  • 19 December: British players Kieran Gibbs, Carl Jenkinson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere extend their contracts, and pledge their futures for four to six years.[73]
  • 29 December: Arsenal participate in the joint highest scoring game in the Premier League – a 7–3 win over Newcastle.
  • 4 January: Moroccan striker Marouane Chamakh joins West Ham United on loan until the end of the season.[47]
  • 5 January: Swiss defender Johan Djourou joins Hannover 96 on loan until the end of the season.[48]
  • 18 January: England international striker Theo Walcott signs new long-term contract for an undisclosed length, ending speculation of his departure.[49]
  • 25 January: Midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong joins fellow Premier League side Fulham on loan until the end of the season.[74]
  • 31 January: Spanish left back Nacho Monreal joins Arsenal for an undisclosed fee, thought to be around £8.5 million, from Spanish club Málaga[75]
  • 11 February: After falling down the pecking order, left-back André Santos departs the club on loan until the end of the season, to join Brazilian club Grêmio.[51]
  • 16 February: Arsenal are eliminated from the FA Cup in the fifth-round following a 1–0 home loss to Championship side Blackburn Rovers.
  • 13 March: Arsenal's UEFA Champions League campaign came to a valiant end after a 2–0 win in Bavaria meant Arsenal lost out on the away goals rule (following a 3–1 first leg loss). It resigned the Gunners to an eight successive trophy-less season.
  • 28 March: Arsenal announce that French midfielder Abou Diaby tore his anterior cruciate ligament in training and will subsequently face up to 9 months out as a result.
  • 23 April: The FA announce that Arsenal's appeal against Olivier Giroud's red card against Fulham (20 March) is rejected, thus condemning the striker to the usual three-match ban[76]
  • 19 May: Arsenal finish the season in the top 4 resigning their North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur to Europa League football next season.
  • 31 May: Arsenal announced, via a club member's poll, that the Player of the Season was Spaniard Santi Cazorla for his performances in both the midfield and front three.[59] He was followed by defender Laurent Koscielny in second,[58] top scorer Theo Walcott in third[57] and fellow Spaniard Mikel Arteta in fourth.[56]

Players

Squad information

N
Pos.
Nat.
Name
Age
EU
Since
App
Goals
Ends
Transfer fee
Notes
1 GK Poland Wojciech Szczęsny 23 EU 2006 106 0 2015[77] Youth system
2 MF France Abou Diaby 27 EU 2006 (Winter) 178 19 undisclosed[78] £2.0M[79]
3 DF France Bacary Sagna 30 EU 2007 236 4 2014[80] £7.5M[81]
4 DF Germany Per Mertesacker 28 EU 2011 71 3 2015[82] £8.0M[83]
5 DF Belgium Thomas Vermaelen (captain) 27 EU 2009 129 15 2015[84] £10.0M[85]
6 DF France Laurent Koscielny 27 EU 2010 119 10 undisclosed[64] £8.5M[86]
7 MF Czech Republic Tomáš Rosický 32 EU 2006 182 22 2014[87] £6.8M[88]
8 MF Spain Mikel Arteta (vice-captain) 31 EU 2011 81 12 2015[89] £10.0M[90]
9 FW Germany Lukas Podolski 27 EU 2012 42 16 2016[5] £10.9M[91]
10 MF England Jack Wilshere 21 EU 2008 97 5 2018[92] Youth system
11 DF Brazil André Santos 30 Non-EU 2011 33 3 undisclosed[93] £6.2M[94] On loan to Grêmio
12 FW France Olivier Giroud 26 EU 2012 47 17 undisclosed[25] £12.8M[62]
14 FW England Theo Walcott 24 EU 2006 (Winter) 263 63 undisclosed[49] £9.0M[95]
15 FW England Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 19 EU 2011 59 6 undisclosed[96] £12.0M[97]
16 MF Wales Aaron Ramsey 22 EU 2008 150 11 undisclosed[98] £4.8M[99]
17 DF Spain Nacho Monreal 27 EU 2013 (Winter) 11 1 undisclosed[75] £8.5M[50]
18 DF France Sébastien Squillaci 32 EU 2010 39 2 2013[100] £3.3M[100]
19 MF Spain Santi Cazorla 28 EU 2012 49 12 undisclosed[33] £16.5M[65]
20 DF Switzerland Johan Djourou 26 EU 2003 144 1 2015[101] Youth system On loan to Hannover 96
21 GK Poland Łukasz Fabiański 28 EU 2007 67 0 undisclosed[102] £2.0M[103]
22 MF France Francis Coquelin 22 EU 2008 43 0 undisclosed[104] Youth system
23 MF Russia Andrey Arshavin 31 Non-EU 2009 (Winter) 144 31 2013[105] £15.0M[106]
24 GK Italy Vito Mannone 25 EU 2005 23 0 2014[107] £0.35M[108]
25 DF England Carl Jenkinson 21 EU 2011 35 0 undisclosed[109] £1.0M[109]
26 MF Ghana Emmanuel Frimpong 21 EU 2009 16 0 undisclosed[110] Youth system On loan to Fulham
27 FW Ivory Coast Gervinho 25 Non-EU 2011 63 11 undisclosed[111] £10.5M[112]
28 DF England Kieran Gibbs 23 EU 2007 106 3 undisclosed[113] Youth system
29 FW Morocco Marouane Chamakh 29 EU 2010 67 14 undisclosed[114] Free On loan to West Ham United
30 FW South Korea Park Chu-young 27 Non-EU 2011 6 1 undisclosed[115] £1.8M[116] On loan to Celta Vigo
31 MF Japan Ryo Miyaichi 20 Non-EU 2011 (Winter) 2 0 undisclosed[117] Free
52 FW Denmark Nicklas Bendtner 25 EU 2004 157 45 undisclosed[118] Youth system On loan to Juventus
MF Brazil Denílson 25 Non-EU 2006 153 10 undisclosed[119] £3.5M[120] On loan to São Paulo
FW Costa Rica Joel Campbell 20 Non-EU 2011 0 0 undisclosed[121] £0.9M[122] On loan to Real Betis
  • Last updated: 19 May 2013
  • Source: Arsenal F.C. and footballdatabase.com (for EU passport, country as international player, contract ending and transfer fee)
  • Ordered by squad number.

Reserve squad

As of 5 February 2013.[123][124][125]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
36 GK Argentina ARG Emiliano Martínez
38 DF Switzerland SUI Martin Angha
39 FW England ENG Zak Ansah
40 DF Spain ESP Héctor Bellerín
41 DF Morocco MAR Samir Bihmoutine
42 DF Ghana GHA Daniel Boateng
43 GK England ENG Reice Charles-Cook
44 MF England ENG Craig Eastmond
45 MF Netherlands NED Kyle Ebecilio
46 MF Germany GER Thomas Eisfeld
47 MF Germany GER Serge Gnabry
48 DF Switzerland SUI Sead Hajrović
49 DF England ENG Isaac Hayden
50 MF Ireland EIR Conor Henderson
51 FW England ENG Benik Afobe
No. Pos. Nation Player
53 MF England ENG Jernade Meade
54 DF Spain ESP Ignasi Miquel
55 DF Switzerland SUI Elton Monteiro
56 FW Jamaica JAM Nigel Neita
58 MF England ENG Josh Rees
60 GK England ENG James Shea
62 FW England ENG Sanchez Watt
63 MF England ENG Jordan Wynter
64 MF England ENG Nico Yennaris
65 MF England ENG Jack Jebb
66 FW England ENG Austin Lipman
67 FW England ENG Chuba Akpom
68 GK North Macedonia MKD Dejan Iliev
71 DF England ENG Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill

Transfers

In

# Position Player Transferred from Fee Date Team Source
9 FW Germany Lukas Podolski Germany 1. FC Köln Undisclosed (~ £10,900,000)[5] 30 April 2012 First-team [126]
12 FW France Olivier Giroud France Montpellier Undisclosed (~ £12,800,000)[62] 26 June 2012 First-team [25]
19 MF Spain Santi Cazorla Spain Málaga Undisclosed (~ £15,000,000)[65] 6 August 2012 First-team [33]
17 DF Spain Nacho Monreal Spain Málaga Undisclosed (~ £8,500,000) 31 January 2013 First team [75]

Total spending: Decrease Undisclosed (~ £47,200,000)

Out

# Position Player Transferred to Fee Date Team Source
MF England Jeffrey Monakana England Preston North End Free transfer (Released) 29 May 2012 Academy [127]
DF Republic of Ireland Ben Glasgow England Stoke City Free transfer 7 June 2012 Academy [128]
53 MF Turkey Oğuzhan Özyakup Turkey Beşiktaş £405,000 8 June 2012 Reserves [24][129]
50 FW Republic of Ireland Rhys Murphy Netherlands Telstar Free transfer (Released) 9 June 2012 Reserves [21][130]
MF England Alban Bunjaku Spain Sevilla Free transfer 28 June 2012 Academy [131]
DF Scotland James Campbell England Stoke City Free transfer (Released) 28 June 2012 Academy [21]
45 DF England Gavin Hoyte England Dagenham & Redbridge Free transfer (Released) 10 July 2012 Reserves [21][132]
FW Mexico Carlos Vela Spain Real Sociedad £5,000,000 17 July 2012 First-team [63]
DF Brazil Pedro Botelho Brazil Atlético Paranaense Free transfer 25 July 2012 Reserves [133]
1 GK Spain Manuel Almunia England Watford Free transfer (Released) 31 July 2012 First-team [21][134]
47 GK Republic of Ireland Sean McDermott Norway Sandnes Ulf Free transfer (Released) 8 August 2012 Reserves [21][135]
35 DF England Kyle Bartley Wales Swansea City £1,000,000 16 August 2012 First-team [136][137]
10 FW Netherlands Robin van Persie England Manchester United £25,000,000 17 August 2012 First-team [34][138]
17 MF Cameroon Alex Song Spain Barcelona £15,000,000 20 August 2012 First-team [35][68]
MF England Henri Lansbury England Nottingham Forest £1,000,000 28 August 2012 Reserves [139]
38 DF England George Brislen-Hall Scotland Inverness C.T. Free transfer (Released) 30 August 2012 Reserves [21][140]

Total income: Increase Undisclosed (~ £47,405,000)

Loan out

# Position Player Loaned to Date Loan expires Team Source
MF Brazil Denílson Brazil São Paulo 6 July 2012 End of the season First team [141]
FW Costa Rica Joel Campbell Spain Real Betis 11 July 2012 End of the season First team [142]
FW England Benik Afobe England Bolton Wanderers 3 August 2012 1 February 2013 Reserves [143]
31 MF Japan Ryo Miyaichi England Wigan Athletic 13 August 2012 9 March 2013
(due to injury)
First team [144][145]
FW Brazil Wellington Spain Ponferradina 15 August 2012 End of the season Reserves [146]
MF Bolivia Samuel Galindo Spain Lugo 23 August 2012 End of the season Reserves [147]
DF Ghana Daniel Boateng England Oxford United 28 August 2012 1 January 2013 Reserves [148]
FW Republic of Ireland Philip Roberts Scotland Inverness C.T. 30 August 2012 End of the season Reserves [140]
30 FW South Korea Park Chu-young Spain Celta Vigo 31 August 2012 End of the season First team [70]
52 FW Denmark Nicklas Bendtner Italy Juventus 31 August 2012 End of the season First team [69]
MF England Chuks Aneke England Crewe Alexandra 7 September 2012 21 January 2013 Reserves [149]
50 MF Republic of Ireland Conor Henderson England Coventry City 21 September 2012 22 December 2012 Reserves [150]
MF England Craig Eastmond England Colchester United 27 September 2012 27 January 2013 Reserves [151]
62 FW England Sanchez Watt England Colchester United 27 September 2012 27 January 2013 Reserves [151]
26 MF Ghana Emmanuel Frimpong England Charlton Athletic 19 November 2012 1 January 2013 First team [71]
29 FW Morocco Marouane Chamakh England West Ham United 4 January 2013 End of the season First team [47]
20 DF Switzerland Johan Djourou Germany Hannover 96 5 January 2013 End of the season First team [48]
26 MF Ghana Emmanuel Frimpong England Fulham 25 January 2013 End of the season First team [74]
MF England Chuks Aneke England Crewe Alexandra 31 January 2013 End of the season Reserves [152]
MF Bolivia Samuel Galindo Bolivia Wilstermann 7 February 2013 End of the season Reserves [153]
FW England Benik Afobe England Millwall 7 February 2013 7 March 2013
(due to injury)
Reserves [154][155]
11 DF Brazil André Santos Brazil Grêmio 11 February 2013 End of the season First team [51]
FW England Anthony Jeffrey England Stevenage 1 March 2013 1 May 2013 Academy [156]

Overall transfer activity

Spending

Decrease Undisclosed (~ £47,200,000)

Income

Increase Undisclosed (~ £47,405,000)

Net expenditure

Increase Undisclosed (~ £205,000)

Club

Coaching staff

This is Arsène Wenger's 17th season with Arsenal.
The retirement of Pat Rice allowed the promotion of Steve Bould and Neil Banfield.
Position Staff
Manager France Arsène Wenger
Assistant manager England Steve Bould1
First team coach Bosnia and Herzegovina Boro Primorac1
England Neil Banfield1
Goalkeeping coach Republic of Ireland Gerry Peyton
Fitness coach England Tony Colbert
England Craig Gant
Physiotherapist England Colin Lewin
England Ben Ashworth
England Declan Lynch
Kit manager England Paul Johnson
England Vic Akers
England Paul Akers
Masseur England Darren Page
Performance analyst England Ben Knapper
Club doctor Republic of Ireland Gary O'Driscoll
Chief scout England Steve Rowley

Last updated: 1 October 2012
Source: Arsenal F.C.

1 Steve Bould and Neil Banfield were confirmed as the assistant manager and first team coach respectively, following the retirement of Pat Rice, however Boro Primorac will continue in his position as first team coach.[22]

Kit

Supplier: Nike / Sponsor: Fly Emirates

Home
Home alt.[157]
Away
Away alt.[158]
Third
Goalkeeper 1
Goalkeeper 2
Goalkeeper 2 alt.
Goalkeeper 3
Goalkeeper 3 alt.

Kit information

Nike released a new set of home, away and goalkeeper kits for the 2012–13 season. The club reverted to their traditional crest, after using an anniversary crest last season.

  • Home: During the final two years with Nike, Nike ditched the white sleeves the club's well known for. The shirt has a white wide stripe on each sleeve, flanked by two dark red, narrower stripes. It has a red V-neck collar which is the same colour as the primary shirt colour. The shirt is complemented by white shorts with a dark-red trim, and white socks with a red horizontal stripe. Red socks with white horizontal stripe were used in some away games. Arsenal revealed that the kit would be used for the next two seasons.
  • Away: Arsenal's new away kit, was revealed on 12 July 2012, with the much speculated purple and black hooped kit being officially confirmed.[159] The reason behind the kit was to commemorate Arsenal's past, enhancing the "royal" theme from the Diamond Jubilee to remind Arsenal fans of the Royal Arsenal that once existed through the colour purple. The shirt featured red cuffs and detailing, and additionally featured hoops of different width on the arms. The purple and black hooped socks, bearing one red stripe each, paid tribute to Chapman's legacy and his introduction of hooped socks, which according to him, was said to make it easier for his players to pick each other out on the pitch. The hoops and red trim on the sleeves was designed the kit a modern and unique flavour to distinguish the club from others in the Premier League.
  • Third: Arsenal's yellow and maroon 2010–11 away kit was retained as a third kit yet again with club badge reverted to traditional badge after last season with anniversary badge.
  • Keeper: Nike launched a new set of goalkeeper strips for the 2012–13 season. The primary strip was predominantly green featuring several tones of the same colour on the arms. The alternatives were pink and gold, based on the same template.

Kit Usage

  • Away: Arsenal's unique away kit produced mix fortunes for the club on the road. Worn in eight games during the season it saw them crash out of the League Cup on penalties to Bradford City, yet whilst still ultimately going out of the competition thanks to a 3–1 defeat at the Emirates, it saw them win 2–0 away to Bayern Munich in the Champions League knockout stages. An early 2–0 win at Anfield against Liverpool in the league saw the only other victory in this shirt. Draws came at Stoke, Southampton and Swansea (FA Cup) whilst three defeats came away to Manchester United, Olympiacos and the previously mentioned game against Bradford City.[160]

Other information

The Emirates Stadium is the second largest stadium in the Premier League.
Chairman England Peter Hill-Wood
Ground (capacity and dimensions) Emirates Stadium (60,355 / 113x76 metres)

Updated to match played 11 May 2010
Source: Arsenal F.C.

Squad statistics

Appearances and goals

As of 14 May 2013
No. Pos Nat Player Total Premier League FA Cup League Cup Champions League
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
1 GK Poland POL Wojciech Szczęsny 33 0 25+0 0 4+0 0 1+0 0 3+0 0
2 MF France FRA Abou Diaby 15 0 10+1 0 3+0 0 0+0 0 1+0 0
3 DF France FRA Bacary Sagna 31 0 25+0 0 2+0 0 1+0 0 3+0 0
4 DF Germany GER Per Mertesacker 44 3 33+1 3 3+0 0 1+0 0 6+0 0
5 DF Belgium BEL Thomas Vermaelen 39 1 25+4 0 2+0 0 1 1 7+0 0
6 DF France FRA Laurent Koscielny 34 4 20+5 2 3+0 0 1+0 1 5+0 1
7 MF Czech Republic CZE Tomáš Rosický 16 3 7+3 2 2+0 0 0+1 0 2+1 1
8 MF Spain ESP Mikel Arteta 43 6 34+0 6 2+0 0 0+0 0 7+0 0
9 FW Germany GER Lukas Podolski 42 16 25+8 11 1+1 1 1+0 0 6+0 4
10 MF England ENG Jack Wilshere 33 2 20+5 0 2+2 1 1+0 0 3+0 1
11 DF Brazil BRA André Santos [L] 12 0 3+5 0 1+0 0 1+0 0 1+1 0
12 FW France FRA Olivier Giroud 47 17 24+10 11 4+0 2 1+1 2 4+3 2
14 FW England ENG Theo Walcott 43 21 24+8 14 2+2 1 2+0 5 3+2 1
15 FW England ENG Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 33 2 11+14 1 2+0 0 1+1 1 3+1 0
16 MF Wales WAL Aaron Ramsey 47 2 21+15 1 1+2 0 1+0 0 4+3 1
17 DF Spain ESP Nacho Monreal 11 1 9+1 1 1+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
18 DF France FRA Sébastien Squillaci 1 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 1+0 0
19 MF Spain ESP Santi Cazorla 49 12 37+1 12 2+1 0 1+0 0 7+0 0
20 DF Switzerland SUI Johan Djourou [L] 2 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 2+0 0 0+0 0
21 GK Poland POL Łukasz Fabiański 5 0 4+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 1+0 0
22 MF France FRA Francis Coquelin 22 0 3+8 0 2+0 0 3+0 0 3+3 0
23 MF Russia RUS Andrey Arshavin 11 1 0+7 0 0+0 0 2+0 1 0+2 0
24 GK Italy ITA Vito Mannone 13 0 9+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 4+0 0
25 DF England ENG Carl Jenkinson 21 0 14+0 0 1+0 0 1+0 0 5+0 0
26 MF Ghana GHA Emmanuel Frimpong [L] 2 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 1+1 0 0+0 0
27 FW Ivory Coast CIV Gervinho 26 7 12+6 5 1+0 0 1+0 0 4+2 2
28 DF England ENG Kieran Gibbs 34 1 23+4 0 2+1 1 1+0 0 3+0 0
29 FW Morocco MAR Marouane Chamakh [L] 4 2 0+0 0 0+0 0 1+2 2 1+0 0
30 FW South Korea KOR Park Chu-young [L] 0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
31 MF Japan JPN Ryo Miyaichi 0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
36 GK Argentina ARG Emiliano Martínez [R] 2 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 2+0 0 0+0 0
38 DF Switzerland SUI Martin Angha [R] 2 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 1+0 0 0+1 0
46 MF Germany GER Thomas Eisfeld [R] 1 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+1 0 0+0 0
47 MF Germany GER Serge Gnabry [R] 4 0 0+1 0 0+0 0 1+1 0 0+1 0
52 FW Denmark DEN Nicklas Bendtner [L] 0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
53 MF England ENG Jernade Meade [R] 2 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+1 0 1+0 0
54 DF Spain ESP Ignasi Miquel [R] 3 1 0+1 0 0+0 0 2+0 1 0+0 0
64 DF England ENG Nico Yennaris [R] 1 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0
  • Source:[citation needed]

[R]Reserve team player [L] – Out on loan [S] – Sold

Top scorers

Place Position Nationality Number Name Premier League FA Cup League Cup Champions League Total
1 FW England 14 Theo Walcott 14 1 5 1 21
2 FW France 12 Olivier Giroud 11 2 2 2 17
3 FW Germany 9 Lukas Podolski 11 1 0 4 16
4 MF Spain 19 Santi Cazorla 12 0 0 0 12
5 FW Ivory Coast 27 Gervinho 5 0 0 2 7
6 MF Spain 8 Mikel Arteta 6 0 0 0 6
7 DF France 6 Laurent Koscielny 2 0 1 1 4
8 DF Germany 4 Per Mertesacker 3 0 0 0 3
Own Goals 3 0 0 0 3
MF Czech Republic 7 Tomáš Rosický 2 0 0 1 3
11 FW Morocco 29 Marouane Chamakh 0 0 2 0 2
MF England 15 Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 1 0 1 0 2
MF Wales 16 Aaron Ramsey 1 0 0 1 2
MF England 10 Jack Wilshere 0 1 0 1 2
15 MF Russia 23 Andrey Arshavin 0 0 1 0 1
DF England 28 Kieran Gibbs 0 1 0 0 1
DF Spain 54 Ignasi Miquel 0 0 1 0 1
DF Spain 17 Nacho Monreal 1 0 0 0 1
DF Belgium 5 Thomas Vermaelen 0 0 1 0 1
TOTALS 72 6 14 13 105

Disciplinary record

Number Nationality Position Name Premier League FA Cup League Cup Champions League Total
Yellow card Red card Yellow card Red card Yellow card Red card Yellow card Red card Yellow card Red card
6 France DF Laurent Koscielny 1 2 0 0 2 0 2 0 5 2
12 France FW Olivier Giroud 5 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 '6 '1
10 England MF Jack Wilshere 5 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 6 1
4 Germany DF Per Mertesacker 3 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 4 1
25 England DF Carl Jenkinson 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1
8 Spain MF Mikel Arteta 6 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 8 0
16 Wales MF Aaron Ramsey 5 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 8 0
5 Belgium DF Thomas Vermaelen 3 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 6 0
19 Spain MF Santi Cazorla 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 4 0
28 England DF Kieran Gibbs 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 4 0
27 Ivory Coast FW Gervinho 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 3 0
9 Germany FW Lukas Podolski 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 3 0
7 Czech Republic MF Tomáš Rosický 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 0
3 France DF Bacary Sagna 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 0
14 England FW Theo Walcott 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
29 Morocco FW Marouane Chamakh 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 2 0
22 France MF Francis Coquelin 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 0
2 France MF Abou Diaby 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0
17 Spain DF Nacho Monreal 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
1 Poland GK Wojciech Szczęsny 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0
23 Russia MF Andrey Arshavin 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
46 Germany MF Thomas Eisfeld 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
36 Argentina GK Emiliano Martínez 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
15 England MF Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
18 France DF Sébastien Squillaci 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
TOTALS 46 6 4 0 6 0 26 0 82 5

Captains

No. P Name Country No. games Notes
5 DF Vermaelen Belgium 35 Club captain
8 MF Arteta Spain 15 Club vice captain
20 DF Djourou Switzerland 2 On loan to Hannover 96
4 DF Mertesacker Germany 1

Last updated: 19 May 2013
Source: Competitive match reports.
Competitive matches only
Matches started as captain only
Country: FIFA nationality; No.: Squad number; P: Position; Name: Player name; No. Games: Number of games started as captain.

Pre-season and friendlies

Southampton v Arsenal
14 July 2012[10] Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup Southampton 1 – 1
(45-minute match)

(5–4 p)
Arsenal Southampton
20:00 BST Rodriguez 31' Report Gervinho 35' Stadium: St. Mary's Stadium
Referee: Phil Crossley (Kent)
Penalties
Fox soccer ball with check mark
Rodriguez soccer ball with check mark
Seaborne soccer ball with check mark
Chaplow soccer ball with check mark
Hammond soccer ball with check mark
soccer ball with check mark André Santos
soccer ball with check mark Coquelin
soccer ball with check mark Olsson
soccer ball with check mark Eastmond
soccer ball with red X Ebecilio
Note: Southampton win the Markus Liebherr Cup
Boreham Wood v Arsenal XI
21 July 2012[161] Boreham Wood 1–3 Arsenal XI Calahide City
15:00 BST Riza 13' Report 72' (pen.) Watt
78' (pen.) Akpom
85' Olsson
Stadium: Meadow Park
Malaysian XI Malaysia v England Arsenal
24 July 2012[12] Malaysian XI Malaysia 1–2 England Arsenal Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
21:45 MST
(14:45 BST)
Azmi 45+2' Report 87' Eisfeld
90' Aneke
Stadium: Bukit Jalil Stadium
Attendance: 58,362
Referee: Suhaizi Shukri (Malaysia)
Manchester City v Arsenal
27 July 2012[14] China Cup Manchester City 2–0 Arsenal Beijing, China
20:00 CST
(13:00 BST)
Zabaleta 41'
Y. Touré 44'
Report Stadium: Bird's Nest Stadium
Attendance: 52,000
Referee: Howard Webb (South Yorkshire)
Stevenage v Arsenal XI
28 July 2012[162] Stevenage 0–0 Arsenal XI Stevenage
15:00 BST Report Stadium: Lamex Stadium
Attendance: 1,068
Kitchee Hong Kong v England Arsenal
29 July 2012[15] Kitchee Hong Kong 2–2 England Arsenal So Kon Po, Hong Kong
17:00 HKT
(10:00 BST)
Yago 8'
Cancela 28'
Report 24' Walcott
77' Eisfeld
Yellow card 80' André Santos
Stadium: Hong Kong Stadium
Referee: Liu Kwok Man (Hong Kong)
Dartford v Arsenal XI
1 August 2012[163] Dartford 2–1 Arsenal XI Dartford
19:45 BST Crawford 36'
Hayes 81'
Report 49' (pen.) Watt Stadium: Princes Park
Attendance: 2,211
Chesham United v Arsenal XI
4 August 2012[164] Chesham United 2–6 Arsenal XI Chesham
15:00 BST Watters 46', 73' Report 4', 16' Roberts
13' Neita
57' Jebb
70' Akpom
89' Lipman
Stadium: The Meadow
Nigeria Nigeria v England Arsenal
5 August 2012[16] Nigeria Nigeria Postponed England Arsenal Abuja, Nigeria
16:00 WAT
(16:00 BST)
Report Stadium: Abuja National Stadium
Köln Germany v England Arsenal
12 August 2012[165] Köln Germany 0–4 England Arsenal Cologne, Germany
17:00 CEST
(16:00 BST)
Report 6' Vermaelen
15' (pen.), 43' Podolski
62' Gervinho
Stadium: RheinEnergieStadion
Attendance: 32,500

Last updated: 12 August 2012
Source: Arsenal F.C.

Competitions

Overall

Competition Started round Final
position / round
First match Last match
Premier League 4th 18 August 2012 19 May 2013
League Cup 3rd round Quarter-finals 26 September 2012 11 December 2012
FA Cup 3rd round 5th round 5 January 2013 16 February 2013
UEFA Champions League Group stage Round of 16 18 September 2012 13 March 2013

Updated to match played 19 May 2013
Source: Competitions

Premier League

League table

Pos Team
  • v
  • t
  • e
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
2 Manchester City 38 23 9 6 66 34 +32 78 Qualification for the Champions League group stage
3 Chelsea 38 22 9 7 75 39 +36 75
4 Arsenal 38 21 10 7 72 37 +35 73 Qualification for the Champions League play-off round
5 Tottenham Hotspur 38 21 9 8 66 46 +20 72 Qualification for the Europa League play-off round
6 Everton 38 16 15 7 55 40 +15 63
Source: Premier League
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Play-offs (only if needed to decide champion, teams for relegation or teams for UEFA competitions).[166]

Results summary

Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
38 21 10 7 72 37  +35 73 11 5 3 47 23  +24 10 5 4 25 14  +11

Last updated: 19 May 2013.
Source: Premier League

Results by round

Round123456789101112131415161718202122221912425262728303132322923435363738
GroundHAAHAHAAHAHHAAHHAAHAHAHHHAHAAHAHHAHAHA
ResultDDWWDLWLWLDWDDLWWWWDLLWDWWWLWWWWDWDWWW
Position11128358796786671075456666665555553434444
Updated to match(es) played on 19 May 2013. Source: Competitive Matches
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss
Notes:

Matches

Arsenal v Sunderland
18 August 2012 1 Arsenal 0–0 Sunderland London
15:00 BST Report Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,078
Referee: Chris Foy
Stoke City v Arsenal
26 August 2012 2 Stoke City 0–0 Arsenal Stoke-on-Trent
13:30 BST Huth Yellow card 16'
Wilkinson Yellow card 64'
Report Stadium: Britannia Stadium
Attendance: 27,072
Referee: Lee Mason
Liverpool v Arsenal
2 September 2012 3 Liverpool 0–2 Arsenal Liverpool
13:30 BST Škrtel Yellow card 47'
Shelvey Yellow card 90+1'
Report Yellow card 6' Mertesacker
Yellow card 27' Arteta
31' Podolski
68' Cazorla
Stadium: Anfield
Attendance: 44,932
Referee: Howard Webb
Arsenal v Southampton
15 September 2012 4 Arsenal 6–1 Southampton London
15:00 BST Hooiveld 11' (o.g.)
Podolski 31'
Gervinho 35', 71'
Clyne 37' (o.g.)
Walcott 88'
Report 45' Fox Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,097
Referee: Kevin Friend
Manchester City v Arsenal
23 September 2012 5 Manchester City 1–1 Arsenal Manchester
16:00 BST Lescott 40'
García Yellow card 90+2'
Report 82' Koscielny Stadium: Etihad Stadium
Attendance: 47,318
Referee: Mike Dean
Arsenal v Chelsea
29 September 2012 6 Arsenal 1–2 Chelsea London
12:45 BST Ramsey Yellow card 35'
Gervinho 43'
Vermaelen Yellow card 53'
Report 20' Torres
Yellow card 39' Oscar
Yellow card 48' David Luiz
53' Mata
Yellow card 90+3' Ramires
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,101
Referee: Martin Atkinson
West Ham United v Arsenal
6 October 2012 7 West Ham United 1–3 Arsenal London
17:30 BST Diamé 21', Yellow card 21'
Reid Yellow card 36'
Taylor Yellow card 85'
Report 41' Giroud
Yellow card 45+1' Gervinho
77', Yellow card 77' Walcott
83' Cazorla
Stadium: Upton Park
Attendance: 34,974
Referee: Phil Dowd
Norwich City v Arsenal
20 October 2012 8 Norwich City 1–0 Arsenal Norwich
17:30 BST Holt 19', Yellow card 62'
Johnson Yellow card 24'
Hoolahan Yellow card 55'
Turner Yellow card 71'
Report Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 26,825
Referee: Lee Probert
Arsenal v Queens Park Rangers
27 October 2012 9 Arsenal 1–0 Queens Park Rangers London
15:00 BST Giroud Yellow card 60'
Arteta 84'
Report Yellow card 56' Granero
Red card 80' Mbia
Yellow card 87' Taarabt
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,103
Referee: Anthony Taylor
Manchester United v Arsenal
3 November 2012 10 Manchester United 2–1 Arsenal Manchester
12:45 GMT Van Persie 3', Yellow card 60'
Young Yellow card 29'
Cleverley Yellow card 37'
Rooney soccer ball with red X 45', Yellow card 81'
Evra 67'
Anderson Yellow card 72'
Report Yellow card 14' Yellow-red card 69' Wilshere
Yellow card 83' Arshavin
Yellow card 90' Arteta
90+5' Cazorla
Stadium: Old Trafford
Attendance: 75,492
Referee: Mike Dean
Arsenal v Fulham
10 November 2012 11 Arsenal 3–3 Fulham London
15:00 GMT Giroud 11', 69'
Podolski 23'
Ramsey Yellow card 60'
Arteta soccer ball with red X 90+5'
Report 29', 67' (pen.) Berbatov
40' Kačaniklić
Yellow card 41' Sidwell
Yellow card 90+5' Baird
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,093
Referee: Phil Dowd
Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur
17 November 2012 12 Arsenal 5–2 Tottenham Hotspur London
12:45 GMT Mertesacker 23'
Podolski 42', Yellow card 80'
Giroud 45+1'
Cazorla 60'
Walcott 90+1'
Report 11', Red card 18' Adebayor
Yellow card 45' Lennon
Yellow card 66' Sandro
71' Bale
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,111
Referee: Howard Webb
Aston Villa v Arsenal
24 November 2012 13 Aston Villa 0–0 Arsenal Birmingham
17:30 GMT El Ahmadi Yellow card 22' Report Stadium: Villa Park
Attendance: 34,607
Referee: Lee Mason
Everton v Arsenal
28 November 2012 14 Everton 1–1 Arsenal Liverpool
19:45 GMT Fellaini 28'
Gibson Yellow card 30'
Oviedo Yellow card 70'
Report Walcott 1'
Gibbs Yellow card 21'
Stadium: Goodison Park
Attendance: 37,141
Referee: Michael Oliver
Arsenal v Swansea City
1 December 2012 15 Arsenal 0–2 Swansea City London
15:00 GMT Vermaelen Yellow card 85' Report Michu 88', 90+2' Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,098
Referee: Mark Clattenburg
Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion
8 December 2012 16 Arsenal 2–0 West Bromwich Albion London
15:00 GMT Arteta 26' (pen.), 64' (pen.)
Giroud Yellow card 54'
Mertesacker Yellow card 67'
Report Yellow card 54' Olsson
Yellow card 58' Brunt
Yellow card 78' Reid
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,083
Referee: Mike Jones
Reading v Arsenal
17 December 2012 17 Reading 2–5 Arsenal Reading
20:00 GMT McAnuff Yellow card 39'
Le Fondre 66'
Kébé 71'
Report 14' Podolski
32', 35', 60' Cazorla
Yellow card 72' Wilshere
80' Walcott
Stadium: Madejski Stadium
Attendance: 24,125
Referee: Anthony Taylor
Wigan Athletic v Arsenal
22 December 2012 18 Wigan Athletic 0–1 Arsenal Wigan
12:45 GMT Maloney Yellow card 86' Report Yellow card 41' Wilshere
60' (pen.) Arteta
Stadium: DW Stadium
Attendance: 21,754
Referee: Jon Moss
Arsenal v Newcastle United
29 December 2012 19 Arsenal 7–3 Newcastle United London
17:30 GMT Walcott 20', 73', 90+2'
Chamberlain 50'
Podolski 64'
Giroud 85', 87'
Report 43', 69' Ba
59' Marveaux
Yellow card 90' Santon
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,087
Referee: Chris Foy
Southampton v Arsenal
1 January 2013 20 Southampton 1–1 Arsenal Southampton
17:30 GMT Ramírez 34'
Schneiderlin Yellow card 63'
De Ridder Yellow card 86'
Report 41' (o.g.) Guly Stadium: St Mary's Stadium
Attendance: 31,743
Referee: Lee Probert
Arsenal v Manchester City
13 January 2013 21 Arsenal 0–2 Manchester City London
16:00 GMT Koscielny Red card 9'
Vermaelen Yellow card 45+1'
Wilshere Yellow card 64'
Report soccer ball with red X 10', 32' Džeko
21', Yellow card 55' Milner
Yellow card 72' Clichy
Red card 75' Kompany
Yellow card 76' García
Yellow card 86' Barry
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,107
Referee: Mike Dean
Chelsea v Arsenal
20 January 2013 22 Chelsea 2–1 Arsenal London
13:30 GMT Mata 6', Yellow card 66'
Lampard 16' (pen.)
Cole Yellow card 87'
Report Yellow card 16' Szczęsny
58' Walcott
Stadium: Stamford Bridge
Attendance: 41,784
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Arsenal v West Ham United
23 January 2013 23 Arsenal 5–1 West Ham United London
19:45 GMT Podolski 22'
Giroud 47', 57'
Cazorla 53'
Walcott 54'
Report 18' Collison
Yellow card 42' Vaz Tê
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,081
Referee: Andre Marriner
Note: This match was rescheduled from Boxing Day 2012.
Arsenal v Liverpool
30 January 2013 24 Arsenal 2–2 Liverpool London
19:45 GMT Cazorla Yellow card 25'
Giroud 64', Yellow card 85'
Walcott 67'
Mertesacker Yellow card 90'
Report 5' Suárez
60' Henderson
Yellow card 73' Gerrard
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,089
Referee: Kevin Friend
Arsenal v Stoke City
2 February 2013 25 Arsenal 1–0 Stoke City London
15:00 GMT Podolski 78' Report Yellow card 70' Whelan
Yellow card 77' Wilkinson
Yellow card 88' Shawcross
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 59,872
Referee: Chris Foy
Sunderland v Arsenal
9 February 2013 26 Sunderland 0–1 Arsenal Sunderland
15:00 GMT Cattermole Yellow card 2'
Bramble Yellow card 63'
Larsson Yellow card 66'
Colback Yellow card 76'
Report Yellow card 9' Yellow-red card 62' Jenkinson
35' Cazorla
Yellow card 83' Walcott
Stadium: Stadium of Light
Attendance: 46,402
Referee: Anthony Taylor
Arsenal v Aston Villa
23 February 2013 27 Arsenal 2–1 Aston Villa London
15:00 GMT Cazorla 6', 85'
Diaby Yellow card 37'
Report Yellow card 36' Lowton
Yellow card 66' Delph
68' Weimann
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,079
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal
3 March 2013 28 Tottenham Hotspur 2–1 Arsenal London
16:00 GMT Adebayor Yellow card 19'
Vertonghen Yellow card 29'
Bale 37'
Lennon 39'
Walker Yellow card 90+7'
Report Yellow card 30' Ramsey
51' Mertesacker
Stadium: White Hart Lane
Attendance: 36,170
Referee: Mark Clattenburg
Swansea City v Arsenal
16 March 2013 30 Swansea City 0–2 Arsenal Swansea
15:00 GMT De Guzmán Yellow card 26' Report 74' Monreal
Yellow card 83' Arteta
90+1' Gervinho
Stadium: Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 20,583
Referee: Jon Moss
Arsenal v Reading
30 March 2013 31 Arsenal 4–1 Reading London
15:00 GMT Gervinho 11'
Cazorla 48'
Giroud 67'
Arteta 77' (pen.)
Report Yellow card 32' Guthrie
69' Robson-Kanu
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,082
Referee: Chris Foy
West Bromwich Albion v Arsenal
6 April 2013 32 West Bromwich Albion 1–2 Arsenal West Bromwich
15:00 BST Morrison 71' (pen.)
Jones Yellow card 78'
Ridgewell Yellow card 86'
Report 20', 50', Yellow card 36' Rosický
Yellow card 25' Ramsey
Yellow card 65' Koscielny
Red card 70' Mertesacker
Yellow card 83' Arteta
Stadium: The Hawthorns
Attendance: 26,144
Referee: Howard Webb
Arsenal v Norwich City
13 April 2013 33 Arsenal 3–1 Norwich City London
15:00 GMT Sagna Yellow card 34'
Arteta 85' (pen.)
Giroud 88'
Podolski 90+2'
Report 57' Turner
Yellow card 84' Bunn
Yellow card 90+3' Snodgrass
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,095
Referee: Mike Jones
Arsenal v Everton
16 April 2013 29 Arsenal 0–0 Everton London
19:45 BST Arteta Yellow card 56'
Monreal Yellow card 90+4'
Report Yellow card 28' Gibson
Yellow card 35' Pienaar
Yellow card 70' Barkley
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,071
Referee: Neil Swarbrick
Fulham v Arsenal
20 April 2013 34 Fulham 0–1 Arsenal London
15:00 BST Sidwell Red card 12' Report 43' Mertesacker
Yellow card 52' Arteta
Yellow card 76' Ramsey
Red card 90' Giroud
Stadium: Craven Cottage
Attendance: 25,700
Referee: Andre Marriner
Arsenal v Manchester United
28 April 2013 35 Arsenal 1–1 Manchester United London
16:00 BST Walcott 2', Yellow card 33'
Sagna Yellow card 43'
Chamberlain Yellow card 81'
Report Yellow card 17' Jones
Yellow card 24' Rafael
Yellow card 28', 44' (pen.) Van Persie
Yellow card 30' Evans
Yellow card 65' Valencia
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,112
Referee: Phil Dowd
Queens Park Rangers v Arsenal
4 May 2013 36 Queens Park Rangers 0–1 Arsenal London
17:30 BST Derry Yellow card 64'
Jenas Yellow card 78'
Report 1' Walcott
Yellow card 60' Monreal
Stadium: Loftus Road
Attendance: 18,178
Referee: Jon Moss
Arsenal v Wigan Athletic
14 May 2013 37 Arsenal 4–1 Wigan Athletic London
19:45 BST Podolski 11', 68'
Walcott 63'
Ramsey 71'
Report 45', Yellow card 55' Maloney
Yellow card 52' Alcaraz
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,068
Referee: Mike Dean
Newcastle United v Arsenal
19 May 2013 38 Newcastle United 0–1 Arsenal Newcastle upon Tyne
16:00 BST Gutiérrez Yellow card 22' Report Yellow card 39' Rosický
52' Koscielny
Yellow card 81' Gibbs
Stadium: St James' Park
Attendance: 52,354
Referee: Howard Webb

Last updated: 19 May 2013
Source: Arsenal F.C.

FA Cup

Swansea City v Arsenal
6 January 2013 Third round Swansea City 2–2 Arsenal Swansea
13:30 GMT Michu 58'
Bartley Yellow card 79'
Graham 87'
Report Yellow card 35' Ramsey
81' Podolski
83', Yellow card 84' Gibbs
Stadium: Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 18,848
Referee: Howard Webb
Arsenal v Swansea City
16 January 2013 Third round replay Arsenal 1–0 Swansea City London
19:30 GMT Wilshere 86' Report Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 58,359
Referee: Mark Clattenburg
Brighton & Hove Albion v Arsenal
26 January 2013 Fourth round Brighton & Hove Albion 2–3 Arsenal Brighton
15:00 GMT López Yellow card 12'
Barnes 33', Yellow card 73'
Ulloa 62'
Report 16', 56', Yellow card 56' Giroud
Yellow card 67' Ramsey
85' Walcott
Stadium: Falmer Stadium
Attendance: 27,113
Referee: Michael Oliver
Arsenal v Blackburn Rovers
16 February 2013 Fifth round Arsenal 0–1 Blackburn Rovers London
15:00 GMT Coquelin Yellow card 80' Report Yellow card 11' Orr
72' Kazim-Richards
Yellow card 89' Goodwillie
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,070
Referee: Mike Dean

Last updated: 16 February 2013
Source: Arsenal F.C.

League Cup

Arsenal v Coventry City
26 September 2012 Third round Arsenal 6–1 Coventry City London
19:45 BST Giroud 39', soccer ball with red X 51'
Chamberlain 56'
Arshavin 63'
Walcott 74', 90'
Miquel 80'
Report Yellow card 49' Brown
78' Ball
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 58,351
Referee: Mike Jones
Reading v Arsenal
30 October 2012 Fourth round Reading 5–7 (a.e.t.) Arsenal Reading
19:45 GMT Roberts 12'
Koscielny 18' (o.g.)
Leigertwood 20', Yellow card 71'
Hunt 37'
Morrison Yellow card 110'
Pogrebnyak 115'
Report Yellow card 33' Miquel
45+2', 90+6', 120+1' Walcott
Yellow card 55', 103', 120+4' Chamakh
64', Yellow card 78' Giroud
Yellow card 87', 89' Koscielny
Yellow card 114' Martínez
Yellow card 117' Eisfeld
Stadium: Madjeski Stadium
Attendance: 23,980
Referee: Kevin Friend
Bradford City v Arsenal
11 December 2012 Quarter-finals Bradford City 1–1 (a.e.t.)
(3–2 p)
Arsenal Bradford
19:45 GMT Thompson 16'
Wells Yellow card 68'
Doyle Yellow card 90+4'
Hanson Yellow card 120'
Report Yellow card 8' Gervinho
88', Yellow card 92' Vermaelen
Stadium: Valley Parade
Attendance: 23,971
Referee: Mike Dean
Penalties
Doyle soccer ball with check mark
Jones soccer ball with check mark
Darby soccer ball with red X
Connell soccer ball with check mark
Jones soccer ball with red X
soccer ball with red X Cazorla
soccer ball with red X Chamakh
soccer ball with check mark Wilshere
soccer ball with check mark Chamberlain
soccer ball with red X Vermaelen

Last updated: 11 December 2012
Source: Arsenal F.C.

UEFA Champions League

Group stage

Pos Team
  • v
  • t
  • e
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Germany Schalke 04 6 3 3 0 10 6 +4 12 Advance to knockout phase
2 England Arsenal 6 3 1 2 10 8 +2 10
3 Greece Olympiacos 6 3 0 3 9 9 0 9 Transfer to Europa League
4 France Montpellier 6 0 2 4 6 12 −6 2
Source: Soccerway
Montpellier France v England Arsenal
18 September 2012 1 Montpellier France 1–2 England Arsenal Montpellier, France
19:45 BST Belhanda 9' (pen.), Yellow card 84'
Yanga-Mbiwa Yellow card 41'
Report Yellow card 1' Diaby
16' Podolski
18' Gervinho
Stadium: Stade de la Mosson
Attendance: 27,522
Referee: Carlos Velasco Carballo (Spain)
Arsenal England v Greece Olympiacos
3 October 2012 2 Arsenal England 3–1 Greece Olympiacos London, England
19:45 BST Koscielny Yellow card 29'
Gervinho 42'
Podolski 56'
Ramsey 90+4'
Report 45+1' Mitroglou
Yellow card 62' Contreras
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,034
Referee: Svein Oddvar Moen (Norway)
Arsenal England v Germany Schalke 04
24 October 2012 3 Arsenal England 0–2 Germany Schalke 04 London, England
19:45 BST Vermaelen Yellow card 15'
Arteta Yellow card 48'
Ramsey Yellow card 70'
Gervinho Yellow card 71'
Report Yellow card 15', 86' Afellay
Yellow card 39' Höger
76' Huntelaar
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,049
Referee: Jonas Eriksson (Sweden)
Schalke 04 Germany v England Arsenal
6 November 2012 4 Schalke 04 Germany 2–2 England Arsenal Gelsenkirchen, Germany
19:45 GMT Matip Yellow card 25'
Fuchs Yellow card 41'
Huntelaar 45+2'
Farfán 67'
Jones Yellow card 77'
Report 18' Walcott
Yellow card 21' Cazorla
26' Giroud
Yellow card 62' Podolski
Stadium: Veltins-Arena
Attendance: 50,000
Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (Italy)
Arsenal England v France Montpellier
21 November 2012 5 Arsenal England 2–0 France Montpellier London, England
19:45 GMT Cazorla Yellow card 39'
Wilshere 49'
Giroud Yellow card 53'
Podolski 63'
Koscielny Yellow card 76'
Report Yellow card 66' Bedimo
Yellow card 83' Deplagne
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 59,760
Referee: Fırat Aydınus (Turkey)
Olympiacos Greece v England Arsenal
4 December 2012 6 Olympiacos Greece 2–1 England Arsenal Piraeus, Greece
19:45 GMT Fesa Yellow card 51'
Maniatis 64'
Mitroglou 73'
Report 38' Rosický
Yellow card 54' Coquelin
Yellow card 64' Szczęsny
Yellow card 65' Squillaci
Yellow card 90+2' Chamakh
Stadium: Karaiskakis Stadium
Attendance: 30,000
Referee: Alberto Mallenco (Spain)

Knockout phase

Round of 16
Arsenal England v Germany Bayern Munich
19 February 2013 First leg Arsenal England 1–3 Germany Bayern Munich London, England
19:45 GMT Vermaelen Yellow card 15'
Sagna Yellow card 22'
Arteta Yellow card 25'
Podolski 55', Yellow card 66'
Ramsey Yellow card 67'
Report 7' Kroos
21', Yellow card 58' Müller
Yellow card 36' Schweinsteiger
77' Mandžukić
Yellow card 89' Lahm
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 59,974
Referee: Svein Oddvar Moen (Norway)
Bayern Munich Germany v England Arsenal
13 March 2013 Second leg Bayern Munich Germany 0–2
(3a – 3 agg.)
England Arsenal Munich, Germany
19:45 GMT Lahm Yellow card 57'
Martínez Yellow card 83'
Gómez Yellow card 89'
Report 3', Yellow card 73' Giroud
Yellow card 44' Gibbs
Yellow card 62' Rosický
Yellow card 80' Mertesacker
Yellow card 83' Cazorla
86', Yellow card 87' Koscielny
Stadium: Allianz Arena
Attendance: 66,000
Referee: Pavel Královec (Czech Republic)

Last updated: 13 March 2013
Source: Arsenal F.C.

Notes

References

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