Mathieu Flamini

Post by **T.S** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 5:37 pm

Evening boys (and girls),

I started a similar thread about everyone's favourite Togonator not so long ago and it proved very divisive. I'm not expecting this one to be quite so controversial, but all the same, I'd like to know what you all think about our midfield (and sometimes full-back) terrier, Mathieu "The Flanimal" Flamini.

I'll always have a soft spot for the lad after his heroics en route to the Champions League final, but it would appear that this season, he is going to figure heavily in the first team after a string of impressive performances. I've got to say; I really like him. He's got all the qualities to have a big cult following at the Grove.

How do you lot rate him? Would he be in your first team? He's started all of our league games this season (if I'm not mistaken...).

Wayno · Post by **Wayno** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 5:48 pm

Flamini is great in my opinion. He has bided his time and waited patiently for his opportunity in the first team. That opportunity has come his way this season and so far he has been immense. Will Gilberto be happy to fight for his place in the team? It has long been suggested that Gilberto wants a move to the continent, perhaps with Flamini stepping up to the mantle, Gilberto's days in an Arsenal shirt may be limited, though I hope not.

stats · Post by **stats** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 5:54 pm

I rate the boy
I think if he left he would be missed just because he is there playing his heart out, underated in my view & very happy that he didn't fuck off like he was suppose to in the summer
With so many midfield players which are all quailty it ain't easy for him to get into the side & at least we know if Clichy or the other full backs did get injuried then MF will be there to save us

, i rate him in both postions & thank him for how well he served us when Clichy n Cashely were out injured, he did the best out of the other 8 left backs that season

daz10_uk · Post by **daz10_uk** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 5:55 pm

I admire Flamini for biding his time although i think he did hand a transfer request in in the summer didnt he? I think he is a good utility player and would definately have him in the squad but i would have Gilberto in the 1st team any day ahead of the "Flanimal".

Galasso · Post by **Galasso** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 6:21 pm

He deserves his place in the side on current form.

He has improved alot in this central position. Whereas he lacked positional sense and did not give us as much bite as was expected, this season he has been excellent in both of these areas. His stamina is outstanding, and he is now finding players with simple balls after breaking up play, therefore allowing our play to flow. He is also giving shit to opposing players to let them know that we're not going to be pushed around.

He was excellent at shite hart lane and had a good game on Saturday.

Gooners444 · Post by **Gooners444** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 6:23 pm

I think Flamini is good enough. He always work hard, and do not make many mistakes. But I think he will be on the bench when Gilberto is fully fit.

All_Arsenal_1886 · Post by **All_Arsenal_1886** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 6:31 pm

Flamini does all the hard work out of the Arsenalspotlight that Cesc, RvP and Adebayor do.
Everytime he has played hr has given 100% commitment and in the last few games has been MOTM or runner up anyway

thatgooner · Post by **thatgooner** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 6:32 pm

The Flamster will be very important to us this season as he brings a bit of extra git too the Midfield that sometimes we miss against the team who just wanna kick our kids around.
I must admit i used to have my doubts about him and didnt think he'd make it very far at the arsenal, but im pleased to say on this one, i was wrong.

gus ceasar is a legend · Mon Oct 01, 2007 7:39 pm

He's the Franch Ray Parlour..............and that's fine and dandy by me!

I was suprised he didn't go in the summer but I am bloody glad that he hasn't! His workrate is phenomonal and he looks the perfect foil for Cesc at the moment!

However, going forward I think he will struggle to keep both Diarra and Diaby behing him in the pecking order!

One thing is clear though.......Bert's time is well and truely up! No real suprise now about the captaincy is it!

Go on the Flaminal is Tone puts it rather aptly!

Post by **T.S** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 7:41 pm

'Flaninal 16' on my home shirt?!

gus ceasar is a legend · Mon Oct 01, 2007 7:43 pm

Nice one Tony!

Post by **I Hate Hleb** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 1:17 am

I WAS ONE OF THOSE WHO THOUGHT FLAMINI WASN'T GOOD ENOUGH FOR US BUT HAVE TO HOLD MY HANDS UP AND SAY HE HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY MAGNIFICENT SO FAR THIS SEASON.

AS ALREADY MENTIONED, HIS TACKLING HAS BEEN BETTER AND HIS BALL DISTRIBUTION HAS IMPROVED BEYOND RECOGNITION. EVEN THE FLAMSTER'S FIRST TOUCH, WHICH ONCE WAS SO POOR IT USE TO INEVITABLEY LEAD TO HIS SECOND TOUCH BEING A TACKLE, IS NOW MUCH MORE ASSURED.

FLAMINI LOOKS A LOT MORE COMFORTABLE ON THE BALL THIS YEAR THAN HE EVER DID AND I AM HAPPY TO SEE THAT HIS FIGHTING SPIRIT - WHICH TO BE FAIR, HE HAS NEVER LACKED - IS EVEN MORE EVIDENT THIS SEASON.

I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO SAY I WAS WRONG ABOUT HIM BEING GOOD ENOUGH FOR ARSENAL IF HE KEEPS UP THIS STANDARD OF PERFORMANCE, OR CLOSE TO IT, FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON. THE SAME GOES WITH HLEB, WHO EVERYONE KNOWS FRUSTRATES THE FECK OUT OF ME MOST OF THE TIME!!

AS FOR THE FUTURE, WITH FALMINI EXCELLING AND SO MANY CENTRAL MIDFIELD PLAYERS BATTLING FOR A FIRST TEAM PLACE, IT SEEMS THAT GILBERTO WILL PROBABLY BE THE ONE TO MAKE WAY BY EITHER BEING MADE A BACK-UP FOR THE CENTRE-HALF POSITION OR HE WILL END UP BEING SOLD.

EITHER WAY, IT WILL IN LARGE PART HAVE BEEN DOWN TO THE MUCH IMPROVED PERFORMANCES OF FLAMINI, AND WITH REGARDS TO THAT WE SHOULD ALL BE HAPPY.

RaM · Post by **RaM** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 2:50 am

Yes, I did think a few years ago Flamini might fail as when he came through the ranks there were so many in front of him and when given his chance he didn't really impress.

But the fact that he did stay to fight for his place tells a lot about him, and I think we need that sort of 'fighter' in our midfield.

Yes, I think Gilberto could be on his way...

Hagbard 23 · Post by **Hagbard 23** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 7:45 am

No doubt about it the Flamster has had a great start to the campaign.

Not too sure about his long term prospects though, as I'm certain he'll make a couple of howlers, and everyone will be on his back again.
Such is the life of a Pro footballer.

Magic Hat · Post by **Magic Hat** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 7:48 am

He's the Franch Ray Parlour..............and that's fine and dandy by me

This fits him. I don't think he is first team material and against top teams would prefer someone like Gilberto in midfield instead of Flamini, he has improved a lot and I like him but he is an excellent squad player who will not let the side down wherever he plays.