Mathieu Flamini

EdgeOfTown · Post by **EdgeOfTown** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 12:38 pm

Always liked Matt..Mainly for his 'English' approach to the game, his attitude, and work rate always impressed me..Same with Adebayor..Anyone who gives 100% in an Arsenal shirt gets a fair crack of the whip from me, and I tend to give these sort of players more time than others do.
I did feel though, that we had better players in the ranks and to be honest no-one could argue he was 3rd or 4th choice in his preffered position. Gilberto was outstanding last year and Diaby coming back from injury looked very good too..
This season he's shown all the qualities I knew he had, but also looks twice the player..He's impoved his passing, awareness, and looks a genuine goal threat from outside the box. He's got energy to burn and if he can keep improving tactically with help from Bert we'll have a real partnership in the middle of the park for years to come.
Definitely one of our top-3 performers this season.

26may1989 · Post by **26may1989** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 1:06 pm

EdgeOfTown wrote:This season he's shown all the qualities I knew he had, but also looks twice the player..He's impoved his passing, awareness, and looks a genuine goal threat from outside the box. He's got energy to burn and if he can keep improving tactically with help from Bert we'll have a real partnership in the middle of the park for years to come.
Definitely one of our top-3 performers this season.

All true, but I see Diarra is the main man to partner Fab in the long-term. I assume Gilberto will move on next summer, but Mathieu, Diaby and Denilson will still be left fighting for a place.

EdgeOfTown · Post by **EdgeOfTown** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 1:13 pm

True..Diarra looked outstanding against Toon, and you have Denilson, Diaby..Jesus, I cant even think about the long term, but at the moment, I feel Matt is undroppable..

All_Arsenal_1886 · Post by **All_Arsenal_1886** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 1:17 pm

Our midfield is looking strong all of a sudden, if Gilberto does go at the end of the season we have replacements at the ready

Galasso · Post by **Galasso** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 1:21 pm

Another question that I feel it is important to consider is:

Who is best type of player to compliment Fabregas, allowing him the freedom to dictate our game from the centre?

If Fabregas is first choice, his central midfield partner must fill in the areas that Fabregas can't. It is not necessarily the most talented player (who is, in my opinion, Diaby).

gunners-need-steel · Post by **gunners-need-steel** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 1:59 pm

Galasso wrote:Another question that I feel it is important to consider is:

Who is best type of player to compliment Fabregas, allowing him the freedom to dictate our game from the centre?

If Fabregas is first choice, his central midfield partner must fill in the areas that Fabregas can't. It is not necessarily the most talented player (who is, in my opinion, Diaby).

By compliment, I suspect u mean someone to stay disciplined and defensize, and thereby allowing cesc to be free and creative .. If so, then diaby is not your man because he is also attack minded and is better suited on the right or left (although he is no winger, and because I put him lower in the pecking order for cenral midfield .. well .. for now) ...

The perfect compliment for cesc would be diarra or flamini .. denilson and is the most like cesc, and should could play Cesc's position ... when cesc is being rested

Galasso · Post by **Galasso** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 2:10 pm

gunners-need-steel wrote:
Galasso wrote:Another question that I feel it is important to consider is:

Who is best type of player to compliment Fabregas, allowing him the freedom to dictate our game from the centre?

If Fabregas is first choice, his central midfield partner must fill in the areas that Fabregas can't. It is not necessarily the most talented player (who is, in my opinion, Diaby).
By compliment, I suspect u mean someone to stay disciplined and defensize, and thereby allowing cesc to be free and creative .. If so, then diaby is not your man because he is also attack minded and is better suited on the right or left (although he is no winger, and because I put him lower in the pecking order for cenral midfield .. well .. for now) ...

The perfect compliment for cesc would be diarra or flamini .. denilson and is the most like cesc, and should could play Cesc's position ... when cesc is being rested

That's exactly what I mean - I agree that Diaby is not the man, only that he is the most talented other than Fabregas.

chunkyandy · Post by **chunkyandy** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 2:33 pm

totally agree...like Ray Parlour one of the under estimated players that helps make the squad click....and to be honest i have to put my hands up and say i didnt think he was good enough for Us...how wrong i was !!!

26may1989 · Post by **26may1989** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 2:36 pm

Galasso's right, Diarra is the logical inheritor of Gilberto's role.

EdgeOfTown · Post by **EdgeOfTown** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 3:22 pm

Holding Role
Diarra
Flamini

Creative Role
Denilson
Diaby

I feel these are our cover options for our "in theory" 1st choice MF of Cesc and Gilberto. So we have cover for either.
I feel at the moment Diaby may be the most talented (bar cesc), but is still very raw and at times inconsistent. Cesc is the best midfielder we have, but Flamini at the moment is the most consistent so Matt/Cesc has to be the 1st choice until another inevitable injury..