Did you know that Mathieu Flamini has never lost a Premier League game at the Emirates in the four and a bit seasons he’s played at the stadium during his two spells as an Arsenal player?
It’s a record the midfielder did his utmost to defend yesterday against Sp*rs as he came on for Santi Cazorla at half time.
Admitting that he was frustrated that the Gunners couldn’t pull a win out of the bag following Kieran Gibbs’ 77th-minute equaliser the Frenchman reminded (or in most cases educated) people of his impressive stats at home.
“Of course we are disappointed because it was an important game for us, it was a derby and you want to win it,” he told Arsenal Player.
“So it is disappointing but we came back after losing 1-0 at half time, so we will take the draw. In these games you have to win them with passion, fight and I think we had it.
“Unfortunately we didn’t score a second goal because we had plenty of opportunities, but we will take this point. It was important not to lose.
“I was happy [to come on] because it is a special game for me against Spurs. There is a lot of passion, I know what it means to play against them for the fans and of course it was important for me to get back into the game.
“I have never lost a Premier League game at the Emirates, and believe me you do not want it to start against Spurs. We came back with great team spirit and it was important for the fans as well today.”
Flamini certainly injected some much-needed urgency into the centre of the park yesterday and even looked assured at right-back when compatriot and namesake Debuchy was taken off in the closing stages.
He does seem to a love a North London derby does our Flam…obviously the brace at White Hart Lane sticks out, but so too his second debut a couple of years back when he also came off the bench…
Flam will ruin them in the reverse fixture
But his standards are slipping – he scored twice against them last time but no goals this time. It could be two own goals next time if we extrapolate.
But, more seriously, I love that record, long may he keep it.
He could have a big role to play this season!
I thoroughly enjoyed his performance, coming on and instantly snapping into tackles, dishing out a few fouls in midfield which helped us rain in some over zealous Spurs players who were having distinct average games themselves yet the Sky Pundits lauded them as if they were playing for Barcelona, that Deli Alli fella being one of them. Ozil’s stat’s literally willied all over his, and Ozil set up our goal, yet Alli got man of the match somehow, which probably left Redknapp pulsing in his tight M&S suit trousers.
Let’s play him every home game!
On another note, did anyone else think The Flam has a really weird throw-in action?
Heh!! I remember all the comments here when Wenger signed him up on a free the second time, he’s been a vital addition to our squad only because his attitude is exactly what our squad needs!
Exactly, he adds a little pep and zing, and we desperately need that. I thought as well that he is not good enough. Remember him during that season (0708?) before he left for Milan, he was golden then, but I thought that he will drop in form when he get older.
I was wrong, as his qualities clearly comes from his mentality not fitness strenght. He is a warrior, and he will fight. As simple, as that.
Play him every week ffs!
I like Flam. Should be ahead of Pogba for France ;P
He really is passionate about this club. A true warrior and seems to vindicate his own decision to stay and fight for a position this year. We definitely need to utilise the rotation between him and coq during the Christmas period coming up
That’s an incredible record!
I like his on field aggression (not the madman Costa like agression), especially in contrast to the many cerebral players like Mertsacker, Cech, Ozil, Monreal, Carzola (many more players), it’s a good mix.
That’s an unbeleivable record, may you keep it
Here’s to you Mathieu Flamini, Arsenal loves you more than you will know ooooooh oh ohhhhh
Was really annoyed at us yesterday. Then looked at the table. We’re doing alright you know.
Look at the fixtures until the end of the year and then think how we are placed.
That would be quite some feat, going through his entire Arsebal career with out losing (touch wood 😉 )
Happy with the point yday. The BFG admitted we were knackered & we did look it despite finishing strongly. Hate the interlull but its come around at a good time for us. Hopefully Ramsey, Bellerin & the Ox will be back for West Brom. COYG
Arsenal has never lost a game, I watched on internet with the players wearing a yellow kit, lol. Congrats to my beloved Flamster.
I think our problem this season will be the 3rd kit. 100% losing record so far.
Can we donate it to Man City?
Looks more like one of their kits than one of ours anyway.
we should never wear blue
We weren’t that abject. When you watch the game again, I would say : 50% was dominated by us (minutes 0-20/50-60/70-90) 20% was even and slightly niggly (minutes 20-30/40-45/45-50) 20% was spurs in spurts (minutes 30-40/60-70) Where it was dangerous and where it exaggerated their impact is within the 20 minute spell they had dominance, we rode our luck and they created equal amount of chances at goal to us entire game. But we felt reasonably in control despite obvious lack of fluency and us not playing to our optimum and there was always the feeling we would nick at… Read more »
So in a nutshell…we have a half decent chance of doing the business this season.
Excited….. COYG!
As fans I think we are generally more self-critical than a neutral observer would be, and somewhat inconsistently we tend to perceive media bias against us at every turn. As you say, the match was pretty evenly balanced and, given our horrendous injury list, we can be relatively happy with the performance on Sunday and certainly with where we stand in the table. Weirdly I didn’t really feel at any point that we would actually lose that game. This squad this season has a bit of extra je ne sais quoi, and if we can get our injury list down… Read more »
I for one, would like to see Flamini stay for at least 2 more seasons. Don’t forget he is only 31. His experience and versatility would serve us in very good stead, especially during an injury crisis such as the one we are facing at the moment.I sincerely believe he’d do a better job than debuchy as backup to hector at right back. After all this is the man who played at left back for us during that incredible run in the champions league in 2006 when we went 10 matches without conceding!
How many games is that?
7
Wow, that’s an amazing statistic. When he retires from playing we should keep him on as a goalpost or something. Anything, so long as he’s on the field every match.
To cite an sms from a friend whos a scum-fan, as second half was about to start…”oh shit…Flamini”
I just think that we are so quick to judge, when we are cross at losing or not winning, and we pick on players like Flamini….but all our players really try to do their best imo.
I love Flam, end of.
believe me you do not want it to start against Spurs…. that’s all you need to know about someone who’s a true gooner!!!.
I’ve been saying this for several seasons now, Flamini is a much better player than many give him credit for. His heart is unquestionable but he has also improved in his use of the ball (particularly going forward) and his passing accuracy. Likely he will be retained for another season or ahead of Arteta because he offers utility and cover in several positions. He is a good experience player to have as deep cover who we know will give 110%. People tend to have their pet peeves. Per is slow, we must promote Gabriel ahead of him, never mind Gabriel… Read more »
We are not doing as badly as the media would paint us. We were not outplayed except for two 10 minutes spurts against Spurs. If you bother to watch the game again : 0-20 minutes We dominated and created chances but just lacked the final touch. 20-30 minutes It started to get niggly as we started to fatigue from a lack of results. 30-40 minutes They got in the game, were gifted a goal 40-45 minutes Fairly even as neither side wanted to concede before the half 45-50 minutes Even but we started OK 50-62 minutes – We had a… Read more »
Next time you get paid could you please spend the whole of your wages in this ratio: 50% for rent/mortgage, 20% for food, 20% for bills.
Please send any leftovers to me.
😉
Yes Flamini knows what arsenal-spurs means . Himself and Rosciky are the oldest players that really understand what it is to play such derby. But let me also give kudos to Gibbs……you can see that spirit in him when he decided not to over celebrate despite that Giroud was trying to hold him down.Gibbs knew we were suppose to be leading them not celebrating becuase we equalised
I know it is The Sun, but this story makes me love the Flamster even more.. Maybe he will buy Arsenal…
https://www.dreamteamfc.com/c/arsenal-star-set-to-become-billionaire-through-secret-fuel-business/