To sign up or not to sign up, that is the question
We can only be talking about one subject here - Mathieu Flamini. Le gaffer has given the Flamster until the end of April to sign up. However the player has reiterated on a number of occasions that he wants to stay with The Arsenal - so why is he still stalling? Obviously the only person who could answer that question is Flamini himself, oh and his ‘advisors’. No one knows for sure the numbers being banded around by Arsenal to keep hold of their combative midfield man. What we do know is that whatever the number is, the likes of Juventus, AC Milan and Inter who have been sniffing around the gaelic with grit could more than double it. But question is will Flamini really move for the sake of money? Ambition and winning things are what counts, however in this day and age - it isn’t that simple. Just take one look at all those mercenaries over at CSKA Chelsea. But why is it taking Flamini so long to decide? Is there more to it? The defensive spot is his own, he isn’t fighting anyone for that spot and doesn’t have to do a Lassana Diarra and do one just because he can’t get his own way.
One player who most people believe will be out the exit door at the Emirates is Gilberto. Now Gilberto for me has been talking the team and players up, for some time. I know he is the elder statesman at the club but for someone who is heading out the door I applaud him. Even this week he has been saying wonder boy Theo Walcott needs to bide his time in the team , as his time will definitely come. But Flamini all we’re getting is silence. By my count he still has another week and a half on the sidelines, plenty enough time to put his marker on Arsenal letter headed paper. But will he? I reckon if he doesn’t sign this next week I don’t think he will and that will leave Arsène Wenger having to buy another quality defensive midfield player. Either that or promote one of our youngsters which means we’ll be back to square one and in another ‘transitional phase’ as there isn’t a ready made replacement for Flamini. Wenger seems very certain Flamini will sign and I do hope he does because if Flamini does go, there’s going to be plenty of egg on his face as well as plenty of questions on why Wenger let a ready made replacement in Lassana Diarra leave the club after only playing for all of four months. We can get into the ins and outs of Abou Diaby, Alex Song or even Denilson plying their trade in the defensive midfield spot however apart from Alex Song who has played there internationally we’ll have another half season/season of a player get used to playing that role. That is of course if Gilberto does leave.
What do you think to the Flamini situation? Do you think the contract rebel will turn mercenary or do you reckon he’ll stick with The Arsenal.
April 21, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Nice write up chaps, also like the idea you’ve gone and done a comments section! I hope Flam stays!!
April 21, 2008 at 3:56 pm
In case you have not bee paying attention Chelsea have been winning things and keeping us pegged back in the process. The same can be said of the clubs that are after him - Juventus will be back in the reckoning for the Italian title next season, AC Milan are always going to be in the hunt for domestic and European honours, and the same can be said about Bayern Munich. Look at it this way - if he stays at Arsenal why would he be better off? Certainly he can earn at least 50% more at any of the other clubs mentioned, possibly more than that, because he can now be thought of as one of the best defensive central midfielders in Europe. Are Arsenal likely to take down the PL title next season? Possibly but Wenger needs to strengthen the squad with these ’super super quality’ player’s he’s been on about for a couple of years - his track record ain’t that great in recent seasons. Our wage structure is tight and probably very fair to all the players but remember this - Michael Owen did not come to Arsenal because … he wanted 120K a week! Right! Newcastle can pay it though.
April 21, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Any player of Flamini’s stature would be crazy not to walk away on a free if they had the chance wouldn’t they? I mean how often do you get the chance for a payday like that? Even by footballer standards it’s immense. Assuming he’s worth £15m to Juve for example, that means Flamini pockets the bulk of that in a oner. Which even stuck in a building society would give him a comfortable £1m per year for life, on top of whatever salary he’s able to negotiate along the way. Are my sums wrong or is this a total no-brainer? Of course he will go. Now we’re seeing reports that Fabregas is unsettled, no wonder!
April 22, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Arsenal do not need any super super additions. just look at our position now without so many of our main players. What Arsenal need is no injuries, a good big defender and i would say a world class GK. I keep saying this but everyone talks about the d epth of Man U and Chelsea however they struggled when two of their main players were injured - Rooney, Ronaldo - Drogba, JT, so i do not buy this depth arguement. Without MANY of our MAIN players, bad refs decisions and to add to that some horrible defending of late and u can see what was our demise and where we really need the help. It is not to buy a whole team to put most on the bench. Look if Flam wants to leave for money purposes then God speed to him. For dude who talked about Chelsea wiining things and Juventus and AC Milan. First Chelsea just recently started winning and havent won the league with all the Billions in the last couple of years and u never know who will win.as far as any league. We are very negative sometimes as Arsenal fans and fail to see what is happening with this team. PEACE OUT FLAM if u choose to go!!!
God Bless!!!