Would you? He's only 28, and claims he's over his knee injury. If he could pass a medical, would you want him back? Could be another Owen Hargreaves, but he's a player who knows the club, and has performed very well for Arsenal before.
He left us because he wasn't happy with not getting regular first-term football, so I don't see why he would come back to us in a situation where he would be on the bench most of the time.
Don't need an injury prone, past it player. We have Song, Arteta, Frimpong and Coqs who can play his positions. If we intend to get someone in, then someone in their prime and of top quality. That would be M'Villa.....
I haven't seen what he's like recently. Does anyone think he has still got enough- if he is willing to play second fiddle?
No he didn't, he was ever present in the team in his final year. He left us because he wanted more money. If he is still capable of running around like he used to then, yes I would have him back.
Did he? he was a regular, cert starter that season. Fab-Hleb-Rosicky-Flamini were the most stable midfield in years for Arsenal. He was unhappy to be used as a left back prior to that, and felt he was underratted, undeappreciated and underpaid even when Arsene moved him to midfield. He thought he would be a star in Italy, being half Italian. Only to find himself in a left back position again, that is when he was not on the bench.. The guy is also known to raise his level by the end of each contract and then drop it again as soon as he signs on a dotted line. He is free but he will be another bitter moaning player in the squad. We need fresh blood and players who are ready to fight for their place on the pitch.
I always said I would take back Flamini if he ever wanted to come back and I see nothing that changes that. He has the necessary steel we have missed since he left us.
This, he was a great DFM for us and was very mobile for that position which the likes of Song quite frankly isn't. I would have him back just to increase our squad depth and he may turn out to be almost as good as he was originally for us.
Look guys, we made him look much better than what he really was, which is a workhorse with a bit of skill. He had quality players like Hleb and Fabs to make him look great.
He had pace Song and Arteta don't. He got all over the pitch in a way Denilson and Song can't. He had steel. He is EXACTLY what we need to help plug the gaps that Song and the rest leave. He isn't an amazing footballer by any stretch but he fit our system perfectly. He did the job of Song AND Denilson - that in itself says how good he was for us.
I don't agree with this and would argue that he made cesc and Helb look good in the sense that he allowed them to have the ability to free roam while he concentrated on the defensive side. At the same time he had a great engine and some pace which meant that he managed to contribute to the attacking side of the team as well
Wouldn't want anyone who treated the club with such disrespect. Better options available in any case.
Like who ? And how did he disrespect the club ? He had obviously made his mind up to leave, remember, Wenger was either not playing him or playing him as LB to fill in so I don't see what he did that was disrespectful. He only got game time in his last season because of injury to Gilberto.
Would he return? He was nicknamed Flamoney by the fans for the way he left. I'd say there's more chance of him being received back than Ade, Ashley or Nasri. So did he leave for money, for first team football, or because he was unhappy with the club?
He left for only basically as we weren't offering him enough money in the new contract. There's a reason why he's called flamoney. As bad as nasri IMO. As for better options obviously on a free he is the best option but I feel coquelin is better and similar. As for external options I would rather M'vila or alou diarra or javi Martinez .
Is easy for Arsenal fans to label players that leave as greedy, but the fact of the matter is he was under used and not appreciated leading up to his final season. You choose to believe the easy explanation because it fits your view that he is greedy, but the man himself says he left for a more prestigious club and not money. Coquelin might become a better player but he lacks the steel Flamini has. We don't know if M'Vila would be better because he hasn't played in England yet, he of course is better when we see how he plays in the French league. I don't know Alou Diarra, Martinez looks lightweight.
Flamini being released puts Arsenal in a strong position - Rennes are holding for a good price for M'Villa but everyone else seems to have dropped out of the running. He wants to leave, Arsenal want to buy him, but Arsenal can now say, this is our offer (15m?), take it, or we'll sign Flamini, who's free, and the difference in wages won't be 15m over the length of his contract. It's hardball, and it might not come off, but if M'Villa hands in a transfer request to force the move through...it could work out in the clubs favour.
