News

Wenger - Physically Flamini is perfect

Arsenal completed a move for former Gunner Mathieu Flamini on Thursday. Arsene Wenger told us why he has brought the midfielder back to the Club:

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.

"The best years are in front of him now. Physically, he's perfect. He was tested, prepared and he's in fantastic shape"

Arsene Wenger

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.