"We won the game but I believe as well we played the game we wanted to play, at a high pace, with top technical quality and with a lot of creative attitude and a good concentration and collective spirit. Our game is based on that. It's our philosophy and, for long patches of the game, we managed to express that."
On his side's performance...
"I believe we had many good performances on the pitch. Everybody played quite well, we were sound at the back, Wilshere had a very good game as well. Everybody played well."
On Cesc Fabregas' performance...
"He has taken on another dimension. People forget that he is 23 years old, [an age] where other people start. He is a fantastic influence and it is important that he leads this team to winning and I believe it is a fantastic opportunity for the young players who play alongside him to improve as well. If you are 18 years old like Wilshere and you see Fabregas who is 23, it is a big opportunity to learn a lot."
On the captain being unlucky not to get a hat-trick...
"I like that he gave the ball to Vela instead of trying alone. That reflects the way we want to play the game and it reflects the real attitude of a leader. He does what the game wants and is not selfish."
On Fabregas' desire to win trophies...
"He loves this club. People doubted that but I never doubted that. He arrived here at the age of 16 and he enjoys the way we play and what more do you want than to be happy?"
On his side proving its potential...
"We have a big potential but what you forget is that I always believed in this team and what this team has done at the age of 20, 21. They are now 22, 23 and they continue to grow and sometimes it is difficult to accept but what they did at 20 was, for me, exceptional."
On if the game could be a springboard for Carlos Vela...
"He is an outstanding finisher who worked very hard this summer and he continues to improve. He is 21 years old and it is a fantastic quality."
On Jack Wilshere's loan spell at Bolton...
"It was important because it accelerated his career by being confronted in the Premier League and having tough games. But, of course, Jack has been educated here and he was already an outstanding player when he left for Bolton. But this is the final part of the education of a player - to be integrated into the first team and play under pressure. That was important for him."
On if he expected Wilshere to play a central role so early in the season...
"Honestly, no. But football teaches you one thing - be open-minded and never have a definite opinion. You need to have opinions sometimes but you always have to have an open mind on players because you can never predict how quickly they develop."
On having sterner tests ahead...
"I know you are impatient but let's enjoy the victory tonight. If you speak about tests, we have a big test on Saturday. We go to Sunderland so that will be a good test. In Europe, let's qualify [for the knockout stages] and then we will see. But Shakthar Donetsk will certainly be a big test for us."
On if he is convinced his side can win major trophies this season...
"I am convinced, yes. I have problems convincing you but that is normal! It is the start of the season and I think it is important that we take encouragement from what we are doing at the moment and we keep feet on the ground and a good concentration."
On what gives him that belief...
"You watched the game tonight. You don't need replays to see that we can be very creative, be dangerous, score goals. You see the pace we can play at and the number of chances we can create. This team knocked Sevilla out, they're a good side, Braga."
On Marouane Chamakh...
"He's a midfielder and a striker. He passes the ball, moves a lot, works defensively, is a striker in the box and is good in the air. He works very hard for the team so it's enjoyable for the midfielders to play with him."
On Abou Diaby's injury...
"We have to wait to see how he responds to that shock. There's a bruise and some ligaments [damage]. We don't know when he'll play again at the moment."
On putting in an impressive performance with a number of players out injured...
"It's fantastic because it shows we have a style at the Club that everybody knows and no matter who comes in the football is played the same way. I have always said that we have a big squad where everybody can play a part and that shows when you look at who was out tonight. Some quality players were sitting behind me."
Does it drive you on because you've never won it?
"Of course. You have to think in Europe we are in the top eight in the coefficients for our performances year in year out but we have not won it and as long as we haven't won it people will question the way we play. You win it with quality, as simple as that."
On if he has spoken to the players about the incentive of the final being at Wembley?
"I have only spoken to the players about Sunderland on Saturday."
Source: Arsenal.com on 15 Sep 10
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