Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger spoke to the club’s official website today and revealed the main reasons as to why he re-signed Mathieu Flamini on a free transfer.
The Frenchman’s contract expired from Italian side AC Milan earlier in the summer and he was training with The Gunners to regain fitness, but after impressing Wenger, he eventually got a offered a three-year-contract at the club.
Below you can read the transcript from Wenger’s interview.
on why he decided to sign Flamini…
Because he knows how we play football. He knows the Club. He had a huge desire to come back. He was available because he was out of contract and he’s a quality player, and a focused player. Those were all the reasons that pushed me to make that decision.
on if versatility played a role in the decision…
Yes, of course. It’s a very important impact on the squad because he can cover many positions. He can play with everybody in midfield and he knows the game we want to play. He knows the game in general. He’s tactically very shrewd, very focused to win and that’s why the decision was basically a no brainer.
on if he’s the same player that left in 2008…
He’s a bit older but he’s still only 29. The best years are in front of him now – the next three years. Physically, he’s perfect. He was tested, prepared and he’s physically in fantastic shape.
on Flamini only winning three French caps…
I believe when he left us, he got a bit lost because he got injured early on in Milan. When you are off the radar, you are quickly forgotten and other players move in. Maybe he will come back into contention now being with us.
on if he’s looking for more faces…
Yes, of course. When you think that we lost three players of the stature of Arteta, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Podolski for three months basically before the season really starts, it’s very hard to take and we are in a position where you want some more players.
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt
