When Mathieu Flamini left Arsenal back in 2009, he told the Press: “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.”
This was the same player who had allowed his contract with the Gunners to run down (a trick that he’s now also pulled with AC Milan). To most fans, these comments seemed disingenuous at best. There were plenty who denounced Flamini, claiming that he had burnt all his Arsenal bridges.
Still, if you love something and let it go and it blah, blah, blah, Flamini’s back.
The Frenchman had been training with the Gunners over the last couple of weeks. He impressed Arsene Wenger enough for the 63-year-old to offer the recently released star a new contract. He followed up this move with these comments:
“We are very pleased Mathieu has agreed to rejoin us. He is a player of real quality, with a fantastic work rate and great mentality. As we know, Mathieu is a strong midfielder, but is also is comfortable playing in defence too. He is a very good addition to our squad.” (Source: The Telegraph)
At this stage, I’d like to echo these comments. Regardless of what happened in the past, I think we’ll look back on this signing and consider it to be a particularly astute piece of business.
If Arsenal had splashed a heap of cash on Flamini, there’d be cause for concern. But they’ve got a top-quality defensive midfielder on a free signing. Most of us have seen first hand his tenacity, drive and expert reading of the game.
He’s a tough tackler and I’m excited that players like Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere will have more protection over the course of what’s going to be a long season.
Whilst his mercenary nature with contracts is a little untoward, isn’t that just the way with modern footballers? Flamini isn’t exactly alone in wanting to maximise his earning potential. Besides, despite his behaviour off the pitch, Flamini is always fully committed on it.
At 29-years-old, he’s still got three-or-four years left at the top level. So let’s hope that he’s a success during his second-stint with the Gunners.
What’s your take? Will Mathieu Flamini bring the fans back on side this season?
Please follow @ThePerfectPass for more football related action!
ThisisFutbol.com are seeking new writers to join the team! If you’re passionate about football, drop us a line at “thisisfutbol.com@snack-media.com” to learn more.
if my memory serves me right it was the manager who five or six years ago never really estimated flamini that much cause he kept delaying mathieue pleas for a new contract but the manager or board complety ignored his pleas,so it wasn’t flamini who didn’t want to renew his contract five years back
finally someone right first out he turned a 1 nil lead into a 1 nil win without him Arsenal destroy that lead 50%
Flamini finished his contract with Arsenal and that made him a “free”agent. Technically he owed Arsenal nothing although morally perhaps he did. He has however reciprocated by costing Arsenal nothing this time round….so maybe we can call it square.
What Arsenal have got for nothing, is a tough, experienced competitor capable of providing the same quality and leadership as Mikel Arteta for the princely sum of err …nothing!
Watching him operate in the Sunday Spurs Shutout – seeing him rally and marshal the troops I was pleasantly surprised and think he will be great in tandem with Mikel this season.
Great singing welcome 2 afc alhaji ozil
no u r wrong Flamini was on 20000 Arsenal offered him 40000 Milan offered 65000 Flamini said give me 60000 ill stay i don,t want to go but i can,t stay 4 less
ps now that offer is on the table
flamini is alwez a man 2 watch wen his in form n i tink we jst show hm luv n gt d bst out of hm. welcome home matt. jst lyk d prodigal son.
I think flamini will be great. I don’t think he owes us anything but one thing is for sure I rarely hear players criticizing Wenger. He has rebuilt the club in the new stadium maintained our champions league position and attracted one of the top players in Europe. Things will change over the next few years, striker wise we have Giroud podolski, Theo, and everyone forgets Ox. He is considered by arsenal as a striker. We are vulnerable while podolski and Ox regain fitness and I am sure we will pick a loan striker and have Mata / Hazard dynamic with Cazorla and Ozil.
I’m one of those who have repeatedly called for fans too see beyond the prize tags on players with respect to their quality! In Flamini, u hav a £30m 5star signing. Good enough for us, he came FREE! He’s capable of bringing back the old beastly tendency that was synonymous with the team from 2004 to 2009. We hav a more balanced MF now; a blend of the Experienced and Vibrant!
Let’s hope that the Gaffer puts them to more judicious use if I may use that word.
God bless The Arsenal!!!!!!
Flamini left Arsenal because of laxity from the board, now he is back with more experience to compentiate his untimely departure. Strong, versatile, technical and a gunner. He can provide the grith that has been lacking in Arsenal’s midfield since the departure of Alex Song. Welcome back home, you Gunner!
Flamini left arsenal in 08/09 season after the expiration of his contract because arsenal never gave him one & he walked…he owns us nothin’…his love for the club brought him back….he impressed in trainin, While hopin’ for a new club before wenger snaped him….he is a top quality player,a midfield General.
I watched him play on sunday n it was fun watching him play he did play well. I tink he ?????? a gud buy for us. We pray we start wit Capital 1 cup n so on.
He signed a contract, and he honoured that contract. What’s the problem?