Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that it was Mathieu Flamini’s attitude that made him want to re-sign the 29-year-old.
The French midfielder was part of Wenger’s team a few years ago before he left in order to join Italian side AC Milan, but after his contract expired this summer at the San Siro, he was left without a club and asked Arsenal if he could train with them in order to regain full fitness.
After a few days of training with the squad, Wenger was left impressed with the midfielder and offered him a three-year deal at the club and speaking to the club’s official website, Wenger has revealed why he wanted to re-sign the Frenchman.
“First of all I believe that he realised what he had here,” the boss told Arsenal Player. “When you’re very young, it is difficult to understand what he had at Arsenal.
“I must say I was reluctant to sign him again but he was so honest in his statement that he wants to play the kind of football we play, that he wants to help us to win. He convinced me through his attitude and his desire in training that he will be the right signing for us.
“It was his attitude. He could have gone somewhere else. He had offers but he wanted to put it right with this club and I think he felt somewhere that he had something to bring to the piece here. He was determined to do that.”
He continued: “[He is] absolutely crucial to the balance of the team,” the boss added. “He has done very well. He had not played since May and when you see how well he came in, it shows you how well, how focused and how dedicated he was in his preparation.
“He’s got what is needed in every team. I wouldn’t say we lacked that as much as people say but he is of course important for the balance of the team that we have players with his qualities.”
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt
