Mathieu Flamini admits that returning to Arsenal feels like “being back home”.
The combative midfielder rejoined the Club last week and made his second debut in Sunday’s north London derby victory against Tottenham.
The 29-year-old earned widespread praise for his all-action display and he says he has slotted seamlessly back into life at Arsenal.
"It was my first game and I wanted to show everyone how committed I am, how I am ready to give everything on the pitch. I hope everyone saw it"
Mathieu Flamini
“I really have the sensation of being back home,” Flamini told Arsenal Player. “Playing against Tottenham in a big derby, it was a great emotion, a great feeling.
“Playing against Tottenham is never easy but it is special for the Club, for the fans and for the players. Of course, for me it was my first game and I wanted to show everyone how committed I am to this club, how I am ready to give everything on the pitch. I hope everyone saw it; I really did my best when I came on.
“I have heard it a lot [that it is like I have never been away]. I feel like I never left. There are players I played with before, and even staff, there are a lot of people still here that I knew before and the [relationship] with the fans was just amazing. I just want to thank everyone for the nice atmosphere on Sunday. It was great.”
Flamini has been joined in the Arsenal squad by Mesut Ozil and Emiliano Viviano, and he believes all the raw materials are in place for a successful season.
“The quality is very high in this team and at this club,” he said. “That is the most important thing, to have players of quality because that makes a difference.
“The team spirit is also very good, and we saw on Sunday that everyone was helping each other on the pitch. That makes a difference in the big games.”
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