When Mathieu Flamini left Arsenal back in 2008, he did it in a way that damaged his reputation and turned fans against him. Arsenal fans understand better than just about anybody else that players move on, but the manner of Flamini’s exit left a particularly sour taste in the mouth.
Flamini spent four years with the Gunners, picking up an FA Cup winners medal and appearing in their Champions League final defeat against Barcelona. During his time at the club, he won over fans with his committed, physical performances, his quick passing and smart footballer’s brain.
Arsenal fans even gave Flamini his own song (this doesn’t happen with many players nowadays) based on the theme tune to The Sweeney.
But his willingness to let his contract run down and to give the club no choice but to sell him on, felt like a betrayal.
In May 2008, Milan agreed a 5.6m euro deal for Flamini. After leaving, he said: “Arsenal are in my heart and they will be in my heart for ever. I will always be an Arsenal fan and leaving was not easy.” (Source: The BBC)
Arsenal fans responded in just the manner you might expect: with expletives.
Five years later and guess what. He’s only gone and pulled the same stunt with AC Milan. The 29-year-old has been offered a new deal that would see him stay at the San Siro, but has refused to sign it. He’s now out of contract and is doubtless courting as many clubs as possible. He’s a cheeky one – that’s for sure.
The player himself has spoken of his affinity for the Premier League: “I’ve been in Italy for five years, I’ve had a great time and learnt a lot. But I miss England and I want to win the Premier League. It has a special place in my heart. I like the pace and the physicality of English football and I like that every game is very open.” (Source: The Daily Mail)
This begs the question, should Arsenal consider offering him a return to the club? He claims to be a fan after all.
The Gunners currently lack a proper defensive midfielder and Flamini is a seasoned professional. At 29-years-old, there’s no real worry about him pulling off another stunt with his contract. By the time he’s 32/33, the Gunners may want him to move on anyways.
I think it’s time to let bygones be bygones. He’d be a quick, cheap but effective solution to the Gunners midfield problem. So why not?
What’s your take? Could you stomach seeing Flamini back at Arsenal?
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It will be gud 4 d team 2 hv a proper defensive midfielder dat has epl experience
Nooooooo!! He wasn’t in Milan’s plans and he is not good enough to be in a league winning squad. Waste of time.
sofar sogood he’s ve sometin to offer to a team like arsene, lets not say noooo.. Dat guy is gud enough winger should consider a u turn’ freshthing@gb$
He was a winner while at Arsenal. Now he is just a loser. Just like Hleb and Song. Arsenal never accepts losers.
We should learn to forgive, arsenal should go ahead buy him because we truly needs his quick marking ability. Pls wenger go 4 him.
I think we should welcome him bck 2 emirate stadium,flamini is a good playa dat gunners need 4 now.we should welcome him with our heart.
no no no Armo man should be given the changes to play not hum.
I think we should sign him he is experienced and talented and knows the way we work he is the physical player we need so why not i would prefer someone younger with recent EPL experince but as we all no AW wont spend money as we have seen with past targets eg Higuine demba ba Felliani yaya toure and ashley williams list goes on and on as we all know we only by players in their teens players on a free or crap such as Gervinho chamakh and our record signing which unfortunately never worked out with Arshavin so flamini is a typical arsenal target
I think it will only be fair to boo him everytime he puts in that Arsenal jersey.
He left us when we needed him most. I call it betrayal, just like van Per$£€ie.
Whatever happened Flamini and the club is in the past one thing is for certain Arsenal have missed him being in the side a no brainer really get him for free and get Barry for £5m?
Cheap option but definitely +ve addition to the squad with his experience
Flamini is good defensive wise quick and experienced.him being a cheap option AW bring him. And bring Fabrigas back too as well as Suarez and defender Williams and we’re home and dry.
Lots of players have left us down starting from viera to rvp,just think of all the players that left none of them has respect in there clubs after living.we should have our pride we don’t need none of our ex players,so wenger go for Fellinni and other qualitie players we show them we can go and win trophies without them we need trophies but not fighting for third places all the times…
Guys get a reality check please ! We would need another team bus for all the players we are rumered to be signing and resigning . Is Jens also on a free transfer to solve our goal keeping prroblem ? I cant ever see Rooney or Suarez in a Arsenal shirt but more likely a Benteke kind of striker at a Wenger price plus max £5mil. Cant see him spending morre than £20 mil on a single player. Tik Tok Tik Tok make a move already Mr Wenger. He is certainly the right boss to have tho.