Flamini

[kiwomya]

Arteta has been out injured and Flamini filled in and has been playing really well. It's not really Flamini's fault and IMO Arteta doesn't deserve to walk straight back in.

We finally have a bit of competition in that area and we're playing well - can't be bad can it?

[arseofacrow]

Arteta has been out injured and Flamini filled in and has been playing really well. It's not really Flamini's fault and IMO Arteta doesn't deserve to walk straight back in.

We finally have a bit of competition in that area and we're playing well - can't be bad can it?

What we've lacked - some good competition for places. And different types of players.

[Brady's left peg]

Arteta has been out injured and Flamini filled in and has been playing really well. It's not really Flamini's fault and IMO Arteta doesn't deserve to walk straight back in.

We finally have a bit of competition in that area and we're playing well - can't be bad can it?

I hope you will be using the same rule when Cazorla is fit again and Wally too? Arteta has been a pivotal player since his arrival and IMO should walk straight back into the team once fully match fit.
Does anybody honestly think that a player who AC Milan let go and who couldn't find another club, and I might add probably wouldn't of been picked up by us except... A) he was already training with us, B) he was available on a free, and C) we were desperate should be keeping out a player who has been an integral part of the team?
If it hadn't of been for our early season injuries Flamimi would not of got a look in, in fact he probably wouldn't of even been signed.

[augie]

He [Flamini] didn't owe us anything but that's not going to stop me from having utter contempt for his willingness to let his career play second fiddle to his paycheck.

How is moving to AC Milan letting his career pay second fiddle to his paycheck?

Explain to me how sitting on his arse warming the Milan bench for the last few years has been beneficial to his career ? Please don't give me any crap about confidence in making the Milan team cos even Stevie wonder could see that he was never ever going to displace gattuso mainly because gattuso is a Milan legend but also because flamini wasnt anywhere near as good as gattuso. He knew the score going there but he was quite happy to pocket the paycheck while his international career and his profile were being flushed down the shitter to the extent that no half decent team wanted him this summer even though he was available on a freebie - that is an undisputed fact. Again I had no probs with him leaving but he should, without a doubt, gone to a club where he would be a key player and would allow him to continue to raise his profile and international prospects

[kiwomya]

Arteta has been out injured and Flamini filled in and has been playing really well. It's not really Flamini's fault and IMO Arteta doesn't deserve to walk straight back in.

We finally have a bit of competition in that area and we're playing well - can't be bad can it?

I hope you will be using the same rule when Cazorla is fit again and Wally too? Arteta has been a pivotal player since his arrival and IMO should walk straight back into the team once fully match fit.
Does anybody honestly think that a player who AC Milan let go and who couldn't find another club, and I might add probably wouldn't of been picked up by us except... A) he was already training with us, B) he was available on a free, and C) we were desperate should be keeping out a player who has been an integral part of the team?
If it hadn't of been for our early season injuries Flamimi would not of got a look in, in fact he probably wouldn't of even been signed.

Of course - I want the best team playing for Aresnal and if we keep winning games, why change it? You pick on the basis of their performances not their names or how they played last season, 2 years ago etc. Ask Vermaelen.

So are you saying you'd rather we'd struggled and didn't sign him?

[officepest]

I've said it before; Song was a shite DM, always reacting, never anticipating and thus having to dive in with the Hollywood tackles all the time, usually giving away stupid free kicks.

I think you've hit on something on which we can all agree here mate, one of the greatest swindles of the Wanger era.

[Brady's left peg]

Arteta has been out injured and Flamini filled in and has been playing really well. It's not really Flamini's fault and IMO Arteta doesn't deserve to walk straight back in.

We finally have a bit of competition in that area and we're playing well - can't be bad can it?

I hope you will be using the same rule when Cazorla is fit again and Wally too? Arteta has been a pivotal player since his arrival and IMO should walk straight back into the team once fully match fit.
Does anybody honestly think that a player who AC Milan let go and who couldn't find another club, and I might add probably wouldn't of been picked up by us except... A) he was already training with us, B) he was available on a free, and C) we were desperate should be keeping out a player who has been an integral part of the team?
If it hadn't of been for our early season injuries Flamimi would not of got a look in, in fact he probably wouldn't of even been signed.

Of course - I want the best team playing for Aresnal and if we keep winning games, why change it? You pick on the basis of their performances not their names or how they played last season, 2 years ago etc. Ask Vermaelen.

So are you saying you'd rather we'd struggled and didn't sign him?

Where did I say that? As a back up player having Flamini here is a good thing, but to start him in front of Arteta is wrong IMO. Arteta is adept at recycling the ball and retaining possession and we look a much better balanced team with him in it.
You have a very short memory if you have already forgotten how important Arteta was during the second half of last season.

[Skooner]

Arteta has been out injured and Flamini filled in and has been playing really well. It's not really Flamini's fault and IMO Arteta doesn't deserve to walk straight back in.

We finally have a bit of competition in that area and we're playing well - can't be bad can it?

I hope you will be using the same rule when Cazorla is fit again and Wally too? Arteta has been a pivotal player since his arrival and IMO should walk straight back into the team once fully match fit.
Does anybody honestly think that a player who AC Milan let go and who couldn't find another club, and I might add probably wouldn't of been picked up by us except... A) he was already training with us, B) he was available on a free, and C) we were desperate should be keeping out a player who has been an integral part of the team?
If it hadn't of been for our early season injuries Flamimi would not of got a look in, in fact he probably wouldn't of even been signed.

Of course - I want the best team playing for Aresnal and if we keep winning games, why change it? You pick on the basis of their performances not their names or how they played last season, 2 years ago etc. Ask Vermaelen.

So are you saying you'd rather we'd struggled and didn't sign him?

Where did I say that? As a back up player having Flamini here is a good thing, but to start him in front of Arteta is wrong IMO. Arteta is adept at recycling the ball and retaining possession and we look a much better balanced team with him in it.
You have a very short memory if you have already forgotten how important Arteta was during the second half of last season.

Arteta has been a steadying influence in a turbulent couple of years, but he is not and never will be a defensive midfielder. He can play as one of two deep lying midfielders but only alongside a player who’s primary target is to be a tackler/break up opposition attacks. He’s a poor man’s Alonso in that role.

Flamini IS a defensive midfielder that can do that job to a very decent standard, with huge amounts of energy, a vocal presence to those around him who is also comfortable with the ball at his feet. For what this team needs, for me it’s not even a contest, Flamini has to play that role. Arteta should be competing to play alongside him and that man is currently Ramsey so he doesn’t get back in the team.

This is no way diminishes what Arteta has contributed in the last couple of years but everyone has been saying we need a defensive midfielder during those years and now we have one so someone has to give way. That’s football.

[OneBardGooner]

Arteta has been out injured and Flamini filled in and has been playing really well. It's not really Flamini's fault and IMO Arteta doesn't deserve to walk straight back in.

We finally have a bit of competition in that area and we're playing well - can't be bad can it?

I hope you will be using the same rule when Cazorla is fit again and Wally too? Arteta has been a pivotal player since his arrival and IMO should walk straight back into the team once fully match fit.
Does anybody honestly think that a player who AC Milan let go and who couldn't find another club, and I might add probably wouldn't of been picked up by us except... A) he was already training with us, B) he was available on a free, and C) we were desperate should be keeping out a player who has been an integral part of the team?
If it hadn't of been for our early season injuries Flamimi would not of got a look in, in fact he probably wouldn't of even been signed.

Of course - I want the best team playing for Aresnal and if we keep winning games, why change it? You pick on the basis of their performances not their names or how they played last season, 2 years ago etc. Ask Vermaelen.

So are you saying you'd rather we'd struggled and didn't sign him?

Where did I say that? As a back up player having Flamini here is a good thing, but to start him in front of Arteta is wrong IMO. Arteta is adept at recycling the ball and retaining possession and we look a much better balanced team with him in it.
You have a very short memory if you have already forgotten how important Arteta was during the second half of last season.

Not if what he (Flamini) is doing/playing is contributing to us continuing our winning streak, he will need a rest at some point and it will take Arteta a couple of games to get up to speed so to speak....I think Flamini has been (mostly) excellent and he is good at marshalling/shouting at players to wake the feck up when the going gets dodgy etc

[DB10GOONER]

Personally I don't think Flamoney has done anything THAT wrong tbh. He looked after himself - just like every other modern day footballer does. They are all motivated by one thing; self interest. We just have to accept that the days of the "club man" are gone. This would have infuriated me years ago but now I just kind of accept it.

We fucked Flamoney around with his contract extension and he did one for more money. That is what happened.

I personally think Arteta is better in the DM role. And all this bollocks about "Arteta wasn't playing as a DM" is just that; bollocks. He has been playing as a DM. I also think Flamoney has done well since he came back but he is going to get sent off. He is a risk taker. And I can't but help feeling he'll take one risk too many when it really matters and fuck our season.

I've said it before; Song was a shite DM, always reacting, never anticipating and thus having to dive in with the Hollywood tackles all the time, usually giving away stupid free kicks. Flamoney is waaaay better, but still can be rash and also quite often reacts more than anticipates. He too gives away alot of silly free kicks. But for me Arteta fills the role better; he is intelligent, anticipates the play and positions himself brilliantly. Yeah he's had one or two howlers but to slate him because of one or two howlers when he has had so many excellent games in that role is crazy.

I think Arteta as first choice DM with Flamoney as back up is a good plan. We've whined like beeyatch's on here for years saying that the squad is thin and we need solid back up for the first choice players. Now we have it for one of the key positions in modern football and still people are unhappy!

Flamini played over 150 games for us and never been sent off, he's now older and wiser why is it more likely he will???

True. But the PL in particular has changed a bit in the last few years. Ref's are less tolerent of the lunging style of tackle. I'm not saying he's idiotic with it like Song was but Flamoney has already gone in with a few borderline ones. I just have this feeling he'll do one in a major cup final or something, when a cooler head with better positional sense wouldn't have, and that it will cost us dear. Hey - what do I know, I'm just a bit of a negative bastard!

[kiwomya]

Arteta has been out injured and Flamini filled in and has been playing really well. It's not really Flamini's fault and IMO Arteta doesn't deserve to walk straight back in.

We finally have a bit of competition in that area and we're playing well - can't be bad can it?

I hope you will be using the same rule when Cazorla is fit again and Wally too? Arteta has been a pivotal player since his arrival and IMO should walk straight back into the team once fully match fit.
Does anybody honestly think that a player who AC Milan let go and who couldn't find another club, and I might add probably wouldn't of been picked up by us except... A) he was already training with us, B) he was available on a free, and C) we were desperate should be keeping out a player who has been an integral part of the team?
If it hadn't of been for our early season injuries Flamimi would not of got a look in, in fact he probably wouldn't of even been signed.

Of course - I want the best team playing for Aresnal and if we keep winning games, why change it? You pick on the basis of their performances not their names or how they played last season, 2 years ago etc. Ask Vermaelen.

So are you saying you'd rather we'd struggled and didn't sign him?

Where did I say that? As a back up player having Flamini here is a good thing, but to start him in front of Arteta is wrong IMO. Arteta is adept at recycling the ball and retaining possession and we look a much better balanced team with him in it.
You have a very short memory if you have already forgotten how important Arteta was during the second half of last season.

You didn't say it! that's why I asked the question...

It's not about memory, it's about how things are going right now. We are playing well in a pretty stablised team. Why spoil it? I love Arteta but he's a different player. Nobody's saying he's never been any good.

[augie]

Flamoney is a crunt. End Of

[armchair]

Unfortunately we cant play flamini cause it will "kill" Arteta.

[armchair]

Flamini, Ramsey, Ozil. Cazorla. Walcott

Thats it. Can we lock this thread now please.

[DB10GOONER]

I find it strange sometimes the way people have their favorite players and take a dislike to other players that threaten their hero's place.

If the player in question hasn't insulted or offended The Arsenal or aren't a total scumbag then I really don't care who they are if they do the job. I personally prefer Arteta to Flamoney but if Flamoney puts in the performances and does a good job then keep him in there and let Arteta earn a recall. For me it's about the best option for Arsenal - I don't care if a fans' favourite is dropped or whatever.

Similarly I want Wenger gone because he has let Arsenal down for 9 years of continuous failure with his repetition of the same mistakes year after year after year. I don't hate him, I love him in fact for all he did achieve before he lost the plot, but I want him replaced for the good of Arsenal. But if he wins the PL this season? Then fuck yeah give him another year. I have no problem with that. Simply don't care who (again, within reason) wins us trophies once they win us trophies.

But I know in my heart of hearts he will let us down by refusing to strengthen in January so it's a bit of a non-issue really and thus I want him gone.