Hleb: Arsenal Must Keep Flamini
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Arsenal midfielder Alexander Hleb says it is essential that the Gunners agree a new long-term contract with Mathieu Flamini.
Speaking to Setanta Sports after Arsenal's 0-0 draw with AC Milan in the Champions League - a game in which Mathieu Flamini again impressed, his team-mate Alexander Hleb stressed the importance to the Gunners of the dynamic France international midfielder.
Flamini helped to subdue World Player of the Year Kaka and Italian playmaker Andrea Pirlo as Arsenal fell just short of beating the European champions in their last 16 clash at the Emirates.
The game confirmed that this season Flamini has emerged as one of the leading holding midfielders in Europe, though players like Cesc Fabregas, Emmanuel Adebayor and Hleb himself tend to receive more media attention.
Remarkably Flamini, who joined Arsenal rom Marseille, nearly left the club for Birmingham last summer. But his long-term future is still unresolved, with his contract expiring at the end of this season and Juventus said to be monitoring his situatuon closely.
Flamini though would like to stay in North London, and Hleb wants Arsenal to do whatever it takes to keep the services of the 23-year-old.
"For me it is very important, I think for Arsenal too," Hleb told Setanta Sports. "He is my friend and he is very important.
"Mathieu was fantastic, really. He ran everywhere where the ball was.
"I think he had a fantastic performance and he killed [Gennaro] Gattuso. I like his game and he is very important to us."
Although the Gunners dominated the second half against Milan, they had to settle for a goalless draw. The return leg in Milan will be tough and the tie has swung in favour of the Rossoneri, defending champions.
For Arsene Wenger, who has yet to win the Champions League, his team's participation beyond this round of the current campaign looks to be delicately poised.
An away goal at the San Siro would change the balance dramatically, and Hleb is confident that this team can repeat the club's earlier European heroics - at the San Siro against Inter in 2003 (when Arsenal won 5-1) and at the Bernabeu against Real Madrid in 2006 (a 1-0 win) - and qualify for the quarter finals.
"It was difficult [at home to Milan] but I have belief in myself and Arsenal and I believe we can get through to the next round," said Hleb.
"I think we can win in Milan but of course we need concentration and to give 100 percent to get through at the San Siro."
Arsenal came agonisingly close to taking a lead to Milan with them, Adebayor's late header cannoning off the crossbar to give Carlo Ancelotti's side a reprieve.
Asked what he thought when he saw the ball strike the woodwork rather than the back of the net, Hleb replied: "I don't know, ask him, it is better! I think he needed to score but he was unlucky and that is football." -
looks like hes stalling the deal... hope he nt asking for fabregas level of wage... he still got plenty to improve on so he better dun tink so much abt $$$ right now...
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flamini is currently the most important player in the team. if u guys nvr realise... whenever he is around, arsenal conceal less goal.
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Originally posted by BrUtUs:
looks like hes stalling the deal... hope he nt asking for fabregas level of wage... he still got plenty to improve on so he better dun tink so much abt $$$ right now...
You may be right . Or perhaps he is waiting for other big clubs to make their move to sign him so he can blackmail Arsenal to offer him a much better deal (pay increment) . I don't know . But I still believe he will stay given his first team opportunities .
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Originally posted by 798:
flamini is currently the most important player in the team. if u guys nvr realise... whenever he is around, arsenal conceal less goal.
Very true. How suprising this impact flamini has on the team
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give him the money, do not make the same mistake real madrid did with makelele.
just because you're less glamourous means you are any lesser then other more glamourous players.
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Originally posted by 798:
flamini is currently the most important player in the team. if u guys nvr realise... whenever he is around, arsenal conceal less goal.
Yea . He was shadowing Kaka the other day and he did an excellent job .
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Originally posted by felirox:
Very true. How suprising this impact flamini has on the team
sevilla vs arsenal 3 - 1 :Flamini nvr play cos wenger rest him. causing arsenal into dire 2nd spot position dat we have to face Milan now
Boro vs Arsenal 2 - 1 :
Flamini not playing becos of injuries. 1st lost in BPL
Spurs vs Arsenal 5 - 1 :
humilated as Flamini was not playing.
Man U vs Arsenal 4 - 0 :
concealed three goals in the 1st half but after Flamini was sub, saw the diff wif Arsenal?
Conclusion:
Arsenal must keep Flamini!