Mathieu Flamini says he was determined to help turn around Sunday’s north London derby for the Arsenal fans - and also to preserve his unbeaten league record.
The French midfielder has never lost a Premier League game at Emirates Stadium during his two spells with the club.
Flamini came on as a half-time substitute on Sunday with the Gunners trailing Tottenham, and played a key role as they came back to secure a draw. While he was relieved not to lose, he says the team could have claimed all three points.
“Of course we are disappointed because it was an important game for us, it was a derby and you want to win it,” he told Arsenal Player.
“So it is disappointing but we came back after losing 1-0 at half time, so we will take the draw. In these games you have to win them with passion, fight and I think we had it.
“Unfortunately we didn’t score a second goal because we had plenty of opportunities, but we will take this point. It was important not to lose.
“I was happy [to come on] because it is a special game for me against Spurs. There is a lot of passion, I know what it means to play against them for the fans and of course it was important for me to get back into the game.
“I have never lost a Premier League game at the Emirates, and believe me you do not want it to start against Spurs. We came back with great team spirit and it was important for the fans as well today.”
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