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Former Midfielder To Make Surprise Arsenal Return?

By on July 10, 2013

Former Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini has expressed his desire to return to the Premier League this summer – should we be looking to bring him back to the Emirates?

The 29-year-old’s contract with AC Milan expired this summer and he’s rejected a new two-year extension, meaning he’s available on a free transfer, so someone could be set to pick up a bargain.

Having left Arsenal under a dark cloud back in 2008 following a rather unsavory contract dispute, Flamini signed for Milan on a free and has spent five years at the San Siro, winning the Serie A title and the Supercoppa Italia Cup during his time there.

However, he’s struggled to establish himself as a first team regular and has only managed 96 league appearances in his five years in Milan, so it’s no surprise he’s decided to leave the club and it seems he has his eye on a return to England:

“I’ve had some good offers but I want to take my time and decide what direction I will take.

“I like the pace and the physicality of English football and I like that every game is very open.

“What’s important is to be in a team which has a good project, good ambitions and abilities.

“I miss England and I want to win the Premier League.” Flamini is quoted as saying by the Daily Star

So, would you have him back? Flamini spent four years at Arsenal, largely being used as a utility player and he regularly complained about not being played in his favoured defensive midfield role. His finest season was in 2007/08 when an injury to Gilberto Silva opened the door for the Frenchman to stake his claim for the DM spot and he took it with both hands.

He struck up a superb partnership with Cesc Fabregas at the heart of our midfield and he ended up keeping Gilberto and Diaby out the team for the rest of the season, going on to make 30 league appearances that year.

However, despite being given his chance in midfield and starting alongside his friend Fabregas, Flamini turned his back on the club and buggered off to Italy. Who knows how his career would have turned out had he stayed in north London, but he’s certainly not progressed since his departure.

He may have a couple of medals to show his grand-kids but the irony is he left for Milan thinking he was a superstar and ended up being used as a utility player when needed. He’s only got 3 caps for the French national team under his belt and all of those were won during his time with Arsenal.

While he may be a decent squad player, I think we should steer well clear of him this summer. We should have greater ambitions than to pick up a player like Flamini on a free. Although with reports suggesting we’re in for Gareth Barry, it might not be that bad an idea!!!

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What do you think, would you take Flamini back?

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