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Why Flamini should be on Arsene's radar

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by CARL ELDRIDGE Arsene Wenger surprised everyone when he reversed his policy on bringing back players who had left the Arsenal when he gave Sol Campbell the chance to revive his career. The move, it has to be said, has been a brilliant success, with Campbell head and shoulders our best player in recent games, so is it time for AW to take a look at making a move for other players who have moved on?
 
We have already spoken about Alex Hleb who, like so many former Gunners, has seen his career stutter since he moved to Barca and then went on loan to Stuttgart. Now he is in a kind of limbo and is being touted with a possible return to the Premier League. I for one would like to see him back at the home of football.
 
But which other ex-Arsenal stars else would improve our side? Dare I mention a certain Mathieu Flamini? He has hardly been a leading light in the AC Milan side under Leonardo which could mean he would consider a move away from the San Siro. He is still only 26, has the energy of Duracel bunny and certainly adds steel to any midfield in which he plays.
 
Isn't that what we've been lacking in the central midfield? Indeed, across the pitch? Are we nasty enough? How soft is Abou Diaby BTW? Of course, we don't want to revert to all-out thuggery and abandon our principles of free-flowing football (Stoke, Blackburn et al do a good enough job of this type intimidation as they go about their anti-football tactics) but it is clear we need more fire in our bellies. Flamini would immediately give us that. About a year ago, tellingly, he said: "Arsenal are in my heart and they will be in my heart for ever. I will always be an Arsenal fan and leaving was not easy." Wages could be an issue.
 
It is no argument to say we have Alex Song as a defensive midfielder so there is no room for Flamini to return. You can never have enough good players at the club and again, as mentioned in previous blogs, we need a stronger squad to cope with our horrendous injury list. Just a thought...
 
Moving on to this morning's papers and the round-up of possible transfer targets for the Arsenal featured in Her Majesty's Press. The Sun, amongst others, reports that Gianluigi Buffon says he would relish a move to Arsenal if Juventus show him the door. But the quotes they use don't say that at all, rather that he would consider a move to the Premier League. 

Buffon said: "If I had to leave, I think England would be my destination. My desire to leave Juve is equal to that of Juve's will to have me leave.  We will see if we will decide for our paths to continue together."

The Mail says the Italy international, 32, had great hopes heading into the 2009-10 campaign but has been disappointed with his side's performances and for a second straight year, Juve will finish the season without any silverware and to make matters worse, with no chance of playing in the Champions League next term. At least we are in the CL, Gigi!

Worryingly, the Mirror says AW is likely to stick with Lukasz Fabianski and Manuel Almunia's but are scouting several keepers with AZ Alkmaar's Sergio Romero and Shakhtar Donetsk's Ukrainian keeper Andriy Pyatov on the list.

But we will not be making Polish keeper Wojciech Szczesny, 20, our new No,1 any time soon, says the paper, as he is being offered round to Championship clubs for a season-long loan next term.

Written by: Eldo71 Wednesday, 05 May 2010 11:11
 

Comments  

 
-3 # Iceman 2010-05-05 11:33
Get Buffon, Flamini, Parker, Chamakh,and Balotelli (cos he hates the world and that's what we need) before the other Moneybags grab 'em!
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+5 # Jimmy 2010-05-05 11:35
Buying Buffon and building up Szczesny for two or three years wouldn't be bad. Maybe Juve would let him leave for a reasonable fee too to cover missed chances on CL money.

Brentford fans said Szczesny is the best keeper they've ever had at the club. This only goes so far I guess, but I did catch him on The Late Kick Off where his clips looked outstanding and his English was very good too. There is plenty there.

Have a look if you havn't

www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOY63kPwFYo
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0 # Berg10 2010-05-05 14:17
Maybe we should ask Brentford if Szczesny flaps at crosses? :lol:
Seriously he has looked and sounded good enough to replace the other two but Wenger will not rush him to jeopardise his steady growth, all the more reason to go for experience like Buffon over Hart (who I rate btw).

Hart on continual good form would hold Szczesny back longer than a veteran like Buffon although I'd take either of them or Lloris over our two regular keepers.
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0 # harper 2010-05-05 16:43
The problem is convincing City and Lyon to sell them. Lyon know they have France's best keeper and that all the top clubs are looking at him.
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0 # JJ 2010-05-05 11:44
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/may/04/arsenal-manchestercity
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-3 # RASHID 2010-05-05 11:52
please wenger Sign chamakh, strong Upson, flamin, hleb ,and balotel or REMMY and BUFFON
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0 # Signon 2010-05-05 12:05
For God sake sign anybody over 6ft & over 24 but f**king sign!!!!!!!!!
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+1 # Tony tonw 2010-05-05 12:07
Finally some sense!!! I agree flamini would be a great addition we are weak at the spine in this team! We have flair players but few with heart! Denilson for all his flaws has great heart and spirit but to have someone who loves the club and is a great midfielder would improve us dramatically.

We also need a goal keeper and center back.
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-1 # Jimmy 2010-05-05 12:09
Denilson zzzzzzz. Was it him who jumped and turned his back like a pussy ballerina leading up to Blackburn's first goal?

Just sign Chris Samba and have done with it ....
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0 # IndianGunner 2010-05-05 13:51
Yes Samba is the right guy,who will add height,strength and everything to our team.

I dont think wenger will go for flamini under any circumstances,p robably parker is a goog option.
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0 # harper 2010-05-05 16:44
Jimmy, Denilson didn't play against Bburn!
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-1 # kr 2010-05-05 16:53
Quoting Jimmy:
Denilson zzzzzzz. Was it him who jumped and turned his back like a pussy ballerina leading up to Blackburn's first goal?

Just sign Chris Samba and have done with it ....




o yeah denilson was playing wasnt he
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0 # Berg10 2010-05-05 14:19
The only trouble re-signing Flamini is he wouldn't be any more comfortable warming our bench than he does at Milan and I wouldn't want Song sitting there either.
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0 # Tony tonw 2010-05-05 12:21
No it wasnt he didnt even play! How do you not know that??
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+1 # Jimmy 2010-05-05 13:57
you obviously dont get sarcasm !! yes i was watching because i had to put up with watching eboue in a free role for fuck sake !!
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0 # db10 2010-05-06 11:13
its quite hard to be sarcastic when writing!! :-*
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+2 # Sanjo 2010-05-05 12:26
Well looking at Wenger's transfer history he is not going to buy Flamini twice never, he let him go on a free remember.

He might buy Diara(if rumours are true) because he at least made some money twice on him when he sold him to Portsmouth, i think one of his worst mistakes was letting him go.

We missed Flamini seriously because he was always consistent unlike Diaby he would have partnered Song very well and Fabregas would have had a wonderful time in the midfield(he will make less tackles and attack more.)

Maybe if Diara wouldn't be expensive he might buy him because Parker or Milner will be very expensive being English players.

I dont think Wenger will buy Balotelli because he doesn't like disruptive players(for example Adebayor, Penant and Owusu Abeiyi).

He has got Chamakh, but a goal keeper he might not buy and he might introduce Johan Djourou like a new signing remember Rosicki's return to the team ?So he might not buy a new defender as well.

If Wenger buys a keeper i will be very surprised, i think he sees it as a waste of money spending high on keepers - but really they should change the Goal keeper coach; something is definitely wrong there.

So there you go I see Arsene Wenger buying only two players, whether Chamakh is one of the 2 is a matter of Wenger surprising us or not.
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+2 # J@CK 2010-05-05 12:29
I've been saying this for a while. Imagine a midfield tri of Cesc,Song and Flamini. That midfield could compete against any in the premier league. The only issue is that Wenger let Flamini go on a free and i can't see him forking out any sort of decent money for him. Never mind. Chamakh will be confirmed soon and then we can carry on with the outrageous rumours. Buffon....really?
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+2 # Limpar11 2010-05-05 15:02
"Wenger let Flamini go on a free" Flamoney went for the money. Remeber that he´s a traitor and that we don´t won´t!
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-3 # DPT 2010-05-05 12:43
Fabregas and Flamini playing in front of Song would be the perfect midfield trio in my opinion. Fabregas's passing ability with Flamini's bite and energy with Song mopping up behind them. PERFECT!! BUT IT WON'T HAPPEN!! Wenger knows best......................YEAH RIGHT!!
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+1 # Russ 2010-05-05 12:56
I dont think he'll sign Flamini or Diarra. Flamini p*ssed us about with his contract and left on a free and his performaces that season kept Diarra out of the side and he also left. Diarra didnt want to fight for his place and was unsettling the squad with his moaning so that's why we sold him. I'd like Scott parker- great player and no idea how he's not in the England set up. He's got grit and passion - something our team is missing.
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0 # db10 2010-05-05 13:08
I've been saying for a while that Flamini would be the perfect signing in midfield. He knows the club and many of the players and they know him. Also after his time at Milan he may not be so upset about being on the bench than someone like Diarra who has been first choice for Madrid.

We need someone with his energy and drive in midfield.

Not sure about Buffon... I thought he was over rated when Juve bought him for record money and he has looked off form this season. I am quite surprised that he would consider leaving seeing as he stayed with juve even when they got relegated. That is real loyalty.

And please don't sign Balotelli. Every time I've seen him he's been lazy and selfish. And if Mourinho can't control him I don't think anyone could. He's definitely a player who puts his own ego before the team and would cost much more than he's worth. Would rather see Hazard in an Arsenal shirt. He has a very good appreciation of team play and a much better attitude.
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+1 # Hamy 2010-05-05 13:45
Still stuck with the whole "bring back Hleb" idea huh Eldo? Well we are all entitled for an opinion...anyway I dont see Buffon coming to Arsenal..call Mr. Negative but I dont see AW splashing the cash...and the idea of him keeping Almunia and Fabinaski? well thats one idea I'll be having nightmares about all the way till next season..IF AW wants to bring a former Arsenal player then he should smack him in the face and say "....Don't do it again" and then move on
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+1 # Deano 2010-05-05 14:27
I really don't think i could watch the arsenal if we don't sign a a good No1
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+3 # Homer 2010-05-05 14:51
Flamini? Are you people all fucking nuts? That mercenary? In case nobody noticed, he's a total flop at Milan. Song is BETTER than he ever was.

Jaysus but you're all just desparately reaching.
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+2 # Gooner49 2010-05-05 14:52
It ain't gona happen!
Flamini will never come back here. He has said after a year even when he was mostly on the subs bench that he didn't regret his decision. That and the fact he let Arsene on for months telling him he would stay, allowing him to sell Diarra and then buggering off in May.

And I think all you guys writiing a list of 4-5 players need to wake up and smell reality.

Wenger will buy 3 players TOPS. I am only expecting 2.

I pray to God one of them is a keeper. He needs to send Fabianski out on loan to the Championship where he'll toughen up a bit and learn the dirty tactics in football. We need to buy a proven keeper to compete with Almunia for top spot. If we got Buffon I would cream my shorts and eat my hat.

I expect Gallas to bugger off, Sol to stay and Wenger to buy another defender and Chamakh and thats it.

Hope i'm wrong but I am going to ignore every transfer rumour with anyone who is well known, anyone who has been linked with Chlesea, Man U, Man City, Real, Barca and Inter cos we won't out-bid them and any rumour that just sounds too good to be true eg. Buffon!

Sorry chaps but if you don't know Wenger by now you never will!!
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0 # 13 2010-05-05 14:55
diaby's form drastically improves when he plays with song and fabregas. diaby cannot play the dm role, as evidenced by the last few games.

flamini while playing dm was often out of position and gave up silly fouls around the box.

what arsenal need now in order of priority are: a central defender, a goalkeeper, and a dm who is content to sit on the bench.
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+1 # John in Norfolk 2010-05-05 15:33
What's the fascination with Flamini? I don't recall him having more than one goodish season, What did we win with him?

Eldo do you write these comments just to see the reaction?

Bring back Hleb... Bring back Flamini...it'll be bring back Henry and bring back Peter Storie and Frank McLintock next, oh and while your at it, why not bring back David Seaman and isn't Jesus Christ due for a second coming?
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+1 # eldo 2010-05-06 07:06
What an irksome suggestion, John. Have you seen our performances of late? Flamini and Hleb would add to the strength of our squad, simple. Your suggestions would have credence if you had used the correct spelling of Mr Storey. Well done on Seaman, McLintock and Christ, though.
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0 # John in Norfolk 2010-05-06 10:58
Eldo,

I can't agree that Hleb and the perennial bench sitter Flamini would strengthen the squad, add to it maybe, but strengthen? I don't think so.

ps, My humble apologies for spelling Peter's name wrongly, I'll take a closer look at your spelling and punctuation in future.
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0 # Roul 2010-05-05 20:52
If just hope to bring back Wenger 2000 - 2004 edition if i can. The most perfect selection when acquiring new players and fielding the perfect team.
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0 # Mexican Gunner 2010-05-06 00:14
Im the only one who cant see the words of Buffon about Arsenal?? He talks about Premier League but NOT about Arsenal. Maybe the press is just speculating cuz Chelsea, Liverpool and the Manchesters has good goalies.

Anyway I dont think is too crazy to dream for Buffon in exchange of Eboue + 18m. (I think they´re only interested on Eboue and VPersie)

And NO to Flamini!!!!! Im soo glad to see Flamini on Milan´s bench and Hleb in a team of his category after they leave us in a bad way.
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