Mathieu Flamini hasn’t played much in the second half of this season but that hasn’t stopped the club throwing him into the media fray ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup final with Aston Villa.

Below is a transcript* of his press conference – held at London Colney on Wednesday – during which the midfielder shared his FA Cup memories, talked of the importance of squad competition, bigged up the quality of this teammates and clarified his contract situation…

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On how the team compares to last year…

The team is more experienced now. We won the FA Cup last year and we know what it takes to win. We need to make sure we don’t make the same mistakes as last year.

On how the players felt about last year’s pressure on Wenger …

There was pressure on everyone, not only the manager, but the players and the whole club. We wanted to please the fans. It was a difficult situation going so many years without a trophy for such a big club but we did well and finally won the FA Cup.

On whether it’ll be easier this year…

It’s never easy to win a final, let me tell you. I had the chance to play a Champions League final [against Barcelona in 2006] and learned at the time that losing it is very difficult. Of course, you don’t compare the FA Cup final with the Champions League but a final is a final; you have to do everything to win it. Aston Villa is a good team and Tim Sherwood will make it very difficult for us.

On the run to the final…

Every team has been difficult. It’s a big cup, every team wants to win it. Anything can happen in the final. It’ll be a tough game for us. We’ll try to be strong defensively and to find the goal that will give us the possibility to win the game.

On the history of the FA Cup resonating in France…

Of course. The FA Cup is a big cup, one of the biggest in Europe. The Premier League is one of the top championships. Of course, everyone is looking forward to it.

On his earliest memory of the FA Cup…

When I won it for the first time! That was a while ago. It’s an amazing memory, not at Wembley but at Cardiff [when Arsenal beat Manchester United in 2005 on penalties]. Of course, it was an amazing moment and a pleasure. For a footballer to have the chance to play in big games like that is a big chance. I will make sure I will enjoy every second.

[Flamini was part of the first team squad but didn’t make the starting XI or the bench]

On what Alexis Sanchez brings to the team…

Alexis is a top football player. He has a lot of quality. He’s very good offensively, he can create anything at any moment. He gives a lot to the team. Defensively he works hard and that’s tough coming from an offensive player.

On a sixth FA Cup triumph being ammunition for Wenger against Mourinho…

I don’t want to comment on anything Mourinho said. We all know what Arsene Wenger did for this club, we all know what he achieved. He’s done an amazing job for the club and for the fans. It’s a big achievement. Hopefully we’ll win for the fans and for him as well.

On the team selection headache facing Wenger this weekend…

It [competition] is part of the game if you want to play at the top teams. There’s a lot of quality and you have to fight for your place. It’s part of the game, you have to accept the competition. I believe it makes you better because we fight every morning in training to prove that you can play in the team. Like I said, it makes you better.

On Theo Walcott’s return…

I’m very pleased for him. Theo is a top man also. He’s a great guy off the pitch, a great character and he gives everything for the team. I was very happy for him to have an opportunity to prove he’s still at his very best.

On Arsenal enduring a nightmare start to the final last year…

We all agree it was a nightmare. Like I said before, we have more experience now and we make sure we’ve learned from our mistakes and not to do it again. We made it very difficult for ourselves last year. For me to win it and be part of it, it would be the third time I’ve won the FA Cup. As an Arsenal player it would be a big honour and I’d be very proud of that. I’ll make sure to enjoy every second of the day.

On whether Saturday could be his last game for the club…

No, no. I have one more year at the club.

On Saturday meaning a lot to him…

I was born to win, I wanted to win since forever in football. I like to play these big games. I wake up every morning and I want to be a winner.

On whether he’s happy at Arsenal…

I played a lot in the first part of the season. Then second part of the season I got injured and then coming back it’s difficult to get in the team. If you look at the stats we nearly won every single game since February. When the team is winning there is not much to say, except working hard and trying to prove every day you can get back in the team. It’s a situation I accept. Competition makes you better, but there’s not much to say when the team is winning every single game. You just have to accept it and it’s part of the game. I’m looking forward.

On fighting for his place…

I’m happy to be part of this club. Now we’re looking forward to win another trophy. That, for me, is the most important. I don’t think the personal situation of every player is important. I think the collective is more important, especially in a situation like that when we’re about to play a final of the FA Cup and to add another trophy to the club.

On Aaron Ramsey’s development…

Aaron has been improving a lot and he’s now very dangerous. He’s more confident now and a top player and he can do it consistently. He’s played many games. he’s strong defensively and offensively. We’re glad to have him in the team.

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*We left out some boring stuff about Aaron Ramsey playing for Wales and his thoughts on Francis Coquelin’s rise to prominence. Full quotes on the latter be found here.

[Thanks to Tim Stillman for sharing recording of the press conference]