May 05
AC Milan have today announced that Mathieu Flamini has signed a 4-year deal to play in Serie A starting on June 1. The Frenchman leaves Arsenal on a free, as he is out of contract with the Gunners. What this means for Arsenal going forward is perfect debate fodder, so have at it. I for one think we’ll be fine without him. He was a great player for us in midfield this past season, and did the job at the back when Wenger needed him in 06, but, like Gloria Gaynor and the Grateful Dead, we will survive.
51 Responses to “Arrivederci Flamster!”
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May 5th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Flamini leaving is a very good thing.
It would make Wenger more cynical and make him invest less in mediocre players of his caliber. It would also mean every young player doesnt get to play in his last year of his contract.
The good thing about Flamini”s stay with us is that he has shown us exactly what type of midfielder we need there. A workaholic type. Not a laidback Gilberto type. The workaholic complements Fabregas better. So lets go for that from now on.
Financially, we have not lost as we didnt pay a transfer fee for the guy.and he was earning less than 20k per week.
He has also scored more goals that Hleb! So thanks to him for sticking around for 4 years.
His career is over now though. I dont expect to ever hear from him again.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
This is a huge loss for the team.
Flamini’s energy and talent papered over a lot of Cesc’s flaws. Cesc is a mediocre defender at best and when he would go forward it was Flamini who covered for him.
Financially, this is a huge loss for the team. They were only paying £20k/wk for one of the best holding midfielders in the world. Now they will have to spend a (potentially) huge transfer fee to get a Mascherano or Alonso type of player, and pay a hefty salary. You’re kidding yourself if you think this is a financial windfall to the team.
So, they either have to buy someone or they will have to move someone else on the team to that position and hope that he can cover. Gilberto is the most logical choice today as he has the experience and has proven he can do it but does anyone really think the Gilberto/Cesc partnership works? I don’t.
If you think the defense had problems this year, unless Arsenal buy someone as good or better than Flamini, they will have even more problems next year.
So, I expect Wenger to scour the world looking for the perfect, cheap, holding midfielder. And if he does find him? If I was managing director of that player’s club? I’d ask for triple what Arsenal are offering because as Sagna shows, any player that Arsenal make an offer on is likely to be worth more than they pay for him.
Anyway, more about Flamini in tomorrow morning’s blog…
May 5th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Though a loss for Arsenal in terms of team cohesiveness for next season, I have to say many thanks to Flamini for the hard work he put in this year. His work rate / ethic on the field should be a model for the younger guys in the team. Unlike poster #1, I think he will do quite well at Milan, but am not sure that he will be catered to as much like Wenger did to him while at Arsenal.
Anyway, its time to look forward and hopefully we manage to get a decent replacement for Gattuso Jr. Would love to see someone in the Macherano mold brought in. If not, I think Song might do quite well as a DM. I really hope we only have to rely on Gilberto (if he sticks around) for a short period while the new recruit settles in. Got to wonder what Diarra must be thinking now, had he stuck around he would slot right into Flamini’s spot.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
At the moment, I’d say this looks like a big loss for the squad, but I suppose I’ll withhold judgment until I see who Wenger does/doesn’t buy over the summer.
Cesc was fire at the start, Ade carried us for a period, and Hleb had a great first half, but for my money, Flams was our player of the season. I don’t think anybody played with as much grit and consistency over the course of the year. It wasn’t an accident that some of our most disastrous results occurred when he was out of the side.
As much as I would have liked to see him become an Arsenal legend (and he definitely had the potential), I guess I’ll just be grateful for his services this year and wish him the best (until we see Milan in the CL again, of course).
Besides, we’ll always have this: http://youtube.com/watch?v=9Epg9H0cOzQ
May 5th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Loosing Diara hurts even more. We lost 2 great DMs in 5 months. I hope AW has a plan.
May 5th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
No player is bigger than a club!!!
We have lost some LEGENDS in the last few years and have coped really well after that, so I’m not worrying about this at all. After all, it’s Flamini we are talking about
I’m sure the Professor will handle this!
May 5th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
“I am extremely happy. Thanks a million,” he said.
Good on ya Flam, nice choice of expression!
This is certainly a case where there are two sides to the story. Overall, the Flamster wasn’t one of Wenger’s pampered boys, he has ability but it’s not the gleaming type. He mixes the ability he has with a lot of hard work. And truth be told, even though it seems rough, he was entitled to walk. I have to say at the end I was anoyed that he didn’t just fess up and say what was happening. But even then, negotiations aren’t easy, and those who have to negotiate contracts regularly will know this. Those on the outside talk in black and white, but the parties involved are engaged in a dance to achieve the best outcome they can.
To me Flamini is an excellent player to have in any team, he isn’t flash, but he has the ability to fill the gaps and compensate for what others, including more talented players, don’t provide. He WAS a solution. Now he has gone, we have yet another issue to resolve.
Gilberto and Fabregas are not a good midfield combination. Gilberto is too passive. We will revert 2 years and be complaining about being overrun in midfield.
Like I said, this is going to be a big summer for Wenger, perhaps his most challenging yet. His whole base of experience throughout the squad has been removed. The ‘new’ layer of experience RvP, Rosicky, Hleb, Flamini, Gallas, Toure is either leaving, injured, or an awkward fit. I’ve left Adebayor out of that group because I think he has surpassed most peoples hopes. And Sagna and Clichy look a lovely FB pairing.
What strategy does Wenger adopt?
Does he accept that his emerging young Arsenal experiment needs a replenishment of experience?
He has to protect Fabregas his new icon. Gilberto can’t.
Hleb/Rosicky - the intelligence nerve centre. If Hleb leaves and Rosicky continues to struggle physically it would be another mortal blow to Arsenal Mk3 - it’s not that either has been an unqualified success, it’s more that Wenger has invested 2/3 years in schooling them in the arts of Arsenal wide-play. Starting from scratch would be a big blow.
Does he persist with the Gallas/Toure combination?
Is Gallas a fit captain?
How does he cover for his ongoing injury risk?
Lots of issues for Wenger.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Timmy_the_tooth is spot on with his analysis of the financial impact and also that the pairing of Cesc and Gilberto does not work generally because of Gilberto’s lack of range.
However, when Gilberto is inserted in a 4-5-1 formation this settles the team defensively and we have provided good defensive results.
As much as I admired Flamini for his hustle, fire, determination and spirit I intensely disliked the manner in which he strung out Arsenal and raked Arsene over the coals with misleading statements during the contract negotiations. Although I wish him well in his new endeavors, he is highly overrated and his offensive total of 3 goals in all competitions and 2 assists in the EPL makes it’s own statement.
For someone to even remotely think of making him Arsenal’s player of the year is even more ridiculous when we consider the achievement and impact of Sagna, Ade, Clichey and Fab. With all of the accolades afforded Flamini he was and still is an unfinished product who will never ascend to the heights. He lacks aerial ability, makes poor judgments in tackles and does not provide enough defensive support. He is what he is and will never be a superstar. He will make enough to be rich for life with this contract (If he is financially prudent) and 4 years from now we will not even remember his name.
However we want to say it, Sayonara, Au Revoir, Bye Bye, it’s just a case of another Arsene product who won’t make it outside of the Arsenal system.
Song, Diaby, Denilson or another no name player will admirably fill the role next season.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
This is bad news and I would not be surprised if Hleb goes too. I honestly think he wants to leave but a team would have to make him an offer that is good enough to make it financially viable for him to buy out his contract, he may not get that. If he is not going to sign a new deal we should consider selling him as he will lose value next season. I think Arsene will keep him while he finds a good alternative or hope he changes his mind and eventually signs a new contract, probably the most prudent decision.
A replacement for Flamini will be hard to find because it seems his style of play fitted our needs well. He was not the conventional defensive midfielder of the Mascherano, Gilberto and Song type but his defensive capabilities should not be underestimated, he was phenomenal at times. I don’t think he should be judged on assists and goals as he his duties are primarily defensive albeit that he had so much energy he was also able to attack. Goals and assists should be considered icing on the extremely good DM cake that Flamini was to us. I believe Flamini would score a few more goals if he had less defensive responsilblities. He makes good runs, has a good shot and is quite calm and collected, I believe with time he would become more clinical.
I have to disagree, this is not the end of Flamini’s career, he was rated although not well known before he came to Arsenal, it was in fact him that Wenger himself quoted as being the next Patrick Vieira. However time will tell if his style flourishes best in the Premiership as opposed to the more technical and slower paced Italian league. He is not the most technically gifted but neither is Gattuso IMO but I think Flamini is an improvement on Gattuso and will only get better.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
CaribKid…..”Song, Diaby, Denilson or another no name player will admirably fill the role next season.”
Therein lies the root of the problem. For every position where there is a question mark, the answer is a bevvy of youngsters or a still to be recruited no-name. Left midfield……we through up Vela, Diaby or now Traore. Right midfield……Eboue, Walcott. Now centre-midfield……Song, Diaby, Denilson. In the 2nd striker role?……Bendtner, ?????
Scratch below the layer of Adebayor, RvP, Gallas, Toure, Sagna and Clichy and the answer is the same. Young potential with indeterminant maturity dates.
At another time this strategy may be sufficient. But the EPL competition is currently hot. ManU are revitalised and Chelsea play by different rules. Even Liverpool as frustrating as they must be for their supporters are competitive in cups.
Wenger has to get the mix right. With every trophy-less year that passes the pressure increases. Fans will not continue to watch a pretty team that flatters to deceive. 60,000 seats will start to look a lot to fill. There is a point at which the worm turns and the goodwill evaporates. I am a huge admirer of Wenger, but he sits in a hot seat. At the top professional sport is unforgiving. The world-class club that Wenger has played such an intelligent pivotal role in developing now demands success. It seems so jolly unjust, by taking Arsenal to another structural level the demand for success becomes even greater.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
I don’t know about the finace impact… Crazy Jens is leaving… how much a week do you think that frees up?…. and Gilberto might want to play elsewhere..
I think this is exciting…. we know what kind of CM plays well with Cesc thanks to Flam… now we can hand pick a DM or 2… who wouldn’t want to play for us and with Cesc in the middle..
so we pick off a couple Lyon frenchies to vill the void
Jérémy Toulalan - DM
Hatem Ben Arfa - wing
May 5th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
I agree with a lot of what’s been said.
It is a huge loss. Flamini’s been a real bulldog this year, he’s very much been the grit that we needed.
He’s got personality and verve and that’s very hard to replace. His skills, however, are mediocre, and that is easy to replace.
I, personally, think that Wenger fancies Alex Song in Flamster’s role. He’s big (like Viera), quick (like Pires) and strong. I also think he could buy some other players.
It’s very exciting to have the starting squad that we do for next year, and the primary subs. We need depth, and that’s hard to get these days, it seems. We need a couple of players to strengthen the squad, give rest and provide competition within the ranks.
Here’s next year as of now:
Almunia
Sagna
Toure
Gallas
Glichy
Eboue
Cesc
Hleb
Rosicky
Van Persie
Adebayor
Fabianski
Walcott
Bendtner
Song
Senderos
Denilson
Traore
Eduardo
Vela (very, very excited about him!)
Hoyte
Gibbs
There’s also a great little article in this month’s ARSENAL magazine about 10 youngsters to watch. Fantastic!
I’m a little depressed, but I’ll watch the Flamster on Sundays I guess.
Kiss the crest, boys (And the Ladies - at least they’ve given us some more trophies)
May 5th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
Reply Stag on previous thread of Flamini:
To set the record straight, u r saying we should have paid Flamini what he asked.
do u have any idea at all how this Bosman thing work? This guy, IMO, clearly been purposely waiting for his contract to run out, so he can sign for another club under the Bosman ruling.
remember how we got Sol? Why Sol would come and join us at the first place? not only of his ambition for trophy, but the fact that because Arsenal did not need to pay any transfer fee for him, so the club and spend the supposely “transfer budget” into Sol’s wage. As a result, the first contract Sol signed made him the highest earner in our club, more than Henry, Vieira. i think it’s around 80k or something.
when he signed the 2nd contract after his initial contract expired, the wage back down to a normal contract around 60k.
that’s WHY some of the players would go for Bosman and let their contract run out. In short - from the player’s point of view, a Bosman would guarantee them a big fat contract because clubs tend to pay them a big contract due to without the need to pay transfer fee for them.
under this circumstance, how on earth Arsenal was be able to extend his contract? Report that he’s asking over 100k, or 80k… cos that’s AC be able to pay him because they sign him for free. Had Arsenal decided to match this offer, it would make Flamini one of our top earner in the club.
and the problem is never about Flamini alone. think of the bigger picture: had him become one of our top earner and got a massive pay rise like that, what do u think his teammates would be thinking? if everyone does the same thing and ask for a massive deal like that the club is gonna to get broke in no time.
It is a very simple logic.
May 5th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
as for why the club did not sign Flamini to an extension in last summer. Hell, i remember lot of folks been calling to sell him at that time, let alone giving him an extension. Had AW done so , bet lot of ppl would call him out of his mind.
May 5th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Well summarised Andez.
I’m guessing Flamini made up his mind early in the piece this season, he’s clever, he worked Wenger to get a regular starting place, he worked his socks off all season, all the time knowing that as his contract ran down he would become more and more sought after (being a ‘free’).
All that assumed he could ‘impress’ - so there was a risk. If he hadn’t done well Wenger may have flicked him or offered him a reduced contract. But he has done well.
As for Arsenal competing with clubs like AC Milan who are willing to build transfer savings into individual remuneration packages - I think that is a recipe for disaster. Player remuneration is already absurd, that just adds to the imbalance and pressures.
Flamini could have stayed and been paid a competitive amount. He chose not to. End of story. We move on.
May 5th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
looking back, i too feel the same kiwi. i heard from nipuna AW did offer him an extension back in the summer, but he didn’t accept, neither did him choose to leave. so he’s taking a gamble himself, while at the same time probably already made up his mind he’s leaving as a Bosman.
some players into this game for love, some for honor, some for money. maybe Flamini is the latter. He left his previous club under the same circumstance anyway.
that say,throughout his time with us, particularly this season, whether he’s playing for money or not, he has been a tremendous professional and always gave his best. and i doubt that without him, we would be able to launch a title challenge at the first place.
so fair play to him, he has his right to go for his money. thanks for ur service. Arsenal will move on, as we always do.
May 5th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
I think you can see that Flamini loves the game, it’s just that he is ‘clinical’ when it comes to the financial aspects. This un-nerves some people. Clubs are happy to use players or not. Flamini had to settle for being a ‘bit part’ for several years despite always giving 100%. Meanwhile, some other Wenger pets get special treatment - that even applies to Henry and Vieira.
In that sense life isn’t ‘fair’. And each person has to chose their way to approach things. Even Wenger runs down his contract - and keeps the Board and fans waiting in an excrutiating manner. Remember??? So Flamini is just applying the same approach.
Like you say Andez, he always gave 100% - that really is the litmus test.
May 5th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
How can we begrudge Flamini when the great Theirry Henry himself left us to join a “bigger” club at Barca? Granted, Henry didn’t join them for the money, but trophies and honours. Some people value money, others value titles. It’s just like our jobs. I might join a lesser paying job that suits my tastes and gives me a better chance to do something great. Or I might join a better paying job that doesn’t really achieve me any individual success.
I said it when Diarra left that Wenger will get himself into a right royal mess if Flamini leaves. Maybe Wenger “trusted” Flamini a bit too much. Now we have one more problem to solve. As if we didn’t have enough already. Wenger has his job cut out this summer. GK, CB, DM, winger, striker - all departments looks like they can do with some reinforcement. How many players will he sign? How many will he promote from within? He needs to get the balance correct.
Our team at the start of the next season has got to be better than the end of this one. One important reason for that is we may not start the new season in the same roaring fashion that we did this one. Teams will not underestimate us anymore. It will be more difficult. So the team needs to be stronger, so that it can do well at the start and keep that going all the way to next May. Not an easy task.
May 5th, 2008 at 11:36 pm
it’s silly to bring up Diarra thing again. what had it to do with this Flamini saga? Diarra WANTED to leave. NOT that the club wanted to sell him. As far as i m concerned, what’s happening now only show how impatiented Diarra being. Had him chosen to bid his time, he would now have a good chance to become the starting DM in one of the top sides next season.
some may say “but he didn’t know that at that time didn’t he?” EXACTLY. Arsene knows. But he’s not a time traveler who could see the future neither.
May 5th, 2008 at 11:53 pm
i remember DannyT once said AW made a mistake to play Gilberto ahead of Diarra as our first choice back up.
To me, it made NO DIFFERENCE.
The ONLY way we could have kept hold of Diarra was to START him. being the first back up or 2nd back up made no difference to him. He wanted to play, as simple as that.
So that means the only way AW could have kept hold of Diarra back then was to drop Flamini and play Diarra.
Imagine had a leader of a team doing so, dropping a player who’s been performing well, regardless of his contract was about to up or not, and in favour someone u just signed, how the rest of the team would feel? Would anyone still TRUST the manager from then on?
not to mention Eduardo, he could easily have walked into AW’s office “hey boss, didn’t u say a new signing needs half an year to settle in? I m bidding my time waiting patiently at the bench, now u r starting Diarra right away? Play me, or I will be off”.