A very pleased Gooner!

[Eboue Can't Defend]

...also flamini looks the part in midfield. he does not look out of place like before. strong in the tackle for someone so small...

Have to disagree about Flamini, Steven.

The man is a poor passer; hesitant when in possession and therefore gets caught on the ball too often; although he runs around a lot, he is not a particularly great tackler or ball-winner nor does he fulfill the invisible shield role as well as Gilberto.

We have joked in the past about Baptista having the first touch of a rapist, but never has that saying been more appropriate for a player than it is for our french midfielder Flamini!!

I agree that Flamini done fantastic as an emergency left-back during 2006, but he is not really a defender and can't command a regular starting place in the midfield. Therefore, why are we keeping him?

To be honest, although I admire his spirit and work-rate, I've never really rated Flamini that highly with regards ability. When Arsene said he would be better on the bigger pitch we now play on, I really wanted it to come true.

Alas, despite a couple of welcome and important goals, from what I saw last season and so far in this pre-season, I don't believe he is a good enough player for Arsenal, and certainly wouldn't shed any tears if we sold him.

[gus ceasar is a legend]

I will always be grateful as ECD has mentioned for Flamini's sterling work at left back!

In fact I was a bit gutted for Flamini that Cuntley got the nod over him for the final!

However saying that Im bloody suprised hes still at the club. There is this law which allowed him to go if he really wanted to and had a firm offer but.........

I dont think anyone else serious wanted him which dont seem that encouraging!

[Cesc is God]

Some negative people on here, aren't there?

[gus ceasar is a legend]

No not negative at all!

We all appreciate Flamini as a squad player and as mentioned before his versatility!

Facts are facts though and the fact is Flamini playing in midfield for us will not worry opponents or win us the league!

[Cesc is God]

I think Flamini is a great player. He was awesome tonight and has been in the past. I think he is a definite one for the future

[gus ceasar is a legend]

Lets agree to disagree on this yeah!

[stearmaster]

Lets agree to disagree on this yeah!

i agree on that 1.

[Eboue Can't Defend]

Fecking hell Cesc Is God, don't want to have a pop at you mate, but sometimes you really wind me up!!

What's is your problem? All you seem to do is carp on about people's forum usernames; or otherwise, you're having a go at other gooners for voicing anything mildly critical about our players or Arsenal.

Are we all suppose to keep the mouth gags and blinkers on if we disagree with an opinion or don't like a player that you might? Now I'm very happy for you to believe that everything is rosy in the Gooner garden. I even admire the optimism and loyalty you display and wish I could be as confident.

However, if we can't voice our concerns about Arsenal and some of the players on here, amongst fellow gooners who might understand were we're coming from, where can we?

Chill out mate and allow people the space to breath.

[stearmaster]

i like the fact the topic is *a very pleased gooner*, then it goes from 1 extreme to the other, from a very pleased gooner to wat sounds like a very pi$$ed off gooner.

[Gunnerz4life]

Its kinda amusing to hear people saying that Flamini is not good enough to be a 3rd or 4th choice central midfielder. Well he is, he did pretty decent last season in tough fixtures like Chelsea away, Mancs home and Liverpool home. Sometimes we tend to talk too much about quality and not about work rate. We have an abundance of talent in the centre of midfield - Cesc, Diaby, Denilson. I dont think we need any more world class player in that position, but someone who is an honest tryer and gives his 100 percent everytime hes on the field. Flamini does that for me and that makes him good enough to me.

[RaM]

Flamini is at the club for his incredible versatility (which none on here would dispute.)

However as a starting CM he is ranked behind Fabregas, Gilberto and Diaby.

If we DO get Diarra, then Flamini will be placed behind him too from what I've heard of Diarra.

Our defence is still weak in the air. Do we lack height? Gallas and Toure aren't particularly tall are they?

[WinterburnsRightFoot]

There is always a place for a player like Flamini in our squad. Good, hardworking, honest players that are given a job to do and do it. Correct me if I'm wrong but I can't remember the lad ever making a balls up or letting us down.

I recall such murmerings about Gilberto when he first joined us and how the opinions have changed about him. Flamini is still relatively young with time to add to his game and improve. If he was a first choice I would be concerned but he's not. By breaking up the play, hastling and harrying, his type of player allows the more artistic and creative guys do their thing.

[Belfast Boy]

There is always a place for a player like Flamini in our squad. Good, hardworking, honest players that are given a job to do and do it. Correct me if I'm wrong but I can't remember the lad ever making a balls up or letting us down.

I recall such murmerings about Gilberto when he first joined us and how the opinions have changed about him. Flamini is still relatively young with time to add to his game and improve. If he was a first choice I would be concerned but he's not. By breaking up the play, hastling and harrying, his type of player allows the more artistic and creative guys do their thing.

Excellent post "Nige"

[I Hate Hleb]

..If he was a first choice I would be concerned but he's not...

AND THERE IN LIES THE RUB!!

IF HE IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO BE IN OUR STARTING LINE-UP WITHOUT CAUSING SOME CONCERN (WHICH YOU ADMIT IN A ROUNDABOUT WAY) THEN REALISTICALLY HE ISN'T GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE ARSENAL!!

APART FOR THE REAL YOUNGSTERS IN THE SQUAD (BENDTNER, THEO, TRAORE) TO WHOM WE OBVIOUSLY HAVE TO GIVE THE TIME TO GAIN EXPERIENCE, WE NEED PLAYERS IN THE SQUAD WHO CAN INSTANTLY STEP IN TO THE FIRST TEAM WHEN WE HAVE INJURIES AND SUSPENSIONS THAT DON'T WEAKEN THE TEAM AND LEAVE US FEELING LESS CONFIDENT. OTHERWISE, WHERE IS THE GENUINE COMPETITION FOR PLACES?

..By breaking up the play, hastling and harrying, his type of player allows the more artistic and creative guys do their thing...

AGREED. BUT THAT IS ONLY WORTHWHILE IF HE DOESN'T GET CAUGHT IN POSSESSION OR HE CAN EVENTUALLY GET THE BALL TO THEM AFTERWARDS - WHICH ARE A COUPLE OF FLAMINI'S MAJOR WEAKNESSES.

I CAN BREAK UP PLAY, HUSTLE AND HARRY BUT I DON'T THINK ARSENE WOULD PUT ME IN THE TEAM BECAUSE MY DISTRIBUTION IS PROBABLY - AND I ONLY SAY PROBABLY - NOT UP TO THE STANDARDS REQUIRED FOR A SIDE LIKE OURS. WHY IS IT ANY DIFFERENT FOR FLAMINI?

THE THING IS GUYS, LIKE MOST FANS I CONSTANTLY ASK MYSELF WHERE CAN WE IMPROVE TO MAKE US EVEN BETTER? I PERSONALLY BELIEVE THAT WE CAN IMPROVE IN THAT POSITION - AS WELL AS A COUPLE OF OTHERS.

THAT, LIKE I'M SURE OTHER CRITICISM ON HERE, IS NOT MEANT TO BE DISRESPECTFUL TO FLAMINI OR ANY OTHER ARSENAL PLAYER. IT'S JUST WANTING THE BEST FOR YOUR CLUB, THAT'S ALL!

[REB]

hav 2 agree wit ihh,, flamini just doesnt do enough 4 the team in my eyes,, yes he runs a lot and did a great job when called upon as full back,, and unless we get a lot of injurys in midfield then he wont be playin,, didnt he mouth off 2 the press last month on how he had 2 leave cos aw wouldnt play him,, changed his mind prob becos no1 would pay him the wages hes prob on at arsenal