THE FOOTBALL THREAD Vol 2
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fgl
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Flamini - Players have to be ready for a title fight now
Wigan Athletic 0-0 Arsenal
Barclays Premier League
JJB Stadium
Sun, Mar 9, 2008, 4pm
By Richard Clarke
Mathieu Flamini refuses to blame the pitch for Arsenal's draw at Wigan on Sunday.
There was plenty of 'surface tension' at the JJB Stadium over the weekend as Arsène Wenger's side saw their title hopes hit by a goalless game played out in difficult conditions.
However Flamini's words afterwards were as no-nonsense as his performance. Yes, the pitch and the midweek trip to Milan were a factor but, he said, "when you want to win the title you have to be ready to fight".
"Of course, it is very frustrating," the 24-year-old commented. "We gave a lot on Tuesday and had to give a lot again at Wigan. It was not easy because it was difficult conditions. But it was important to stay focused defensively and offensively. I think we missed a little bit although we were unlucky.
"The pitch was horrible but what can you say? It was the same for both teams. Of course we like to play and we had to play more long balls so it was more difficult for us.
"But you cannot moan. You just have to score goals and we didn't so now we have to work harder in training and be ready for Middlesbrough [on Saturday].
"It's always difficult especially after big games like Milan, you need to be 200 per cent concentrated. But we had five days to recover.
"We missed a little bit in the final part. But it's like that sometimes. We have the quality and we are strong so we just have to keep going."
fgl
Well-known member
Told U ... I am AFC GOONERMAN but also a realist ..
It ALL hinges on the OT game now .... winner will take it
fgl
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fgl
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fgl
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By Chris Harris
Arsène Wenger rates Cesc Fabregas and Mathieu Flamini as his finest midfield partnership in more than 11 years at the Arsenal helm.
That is a bold statement from a man who nurtured the Patrick Vieira-Emmanuel Petit axis soon after arriving in North London in 1996. The French duo were a driving force behind Arsenal's Double triumph in 1998 and helped their country to World Cup glory the same year.
Fabregas has been a fixture in Arsenal's midfield since Vieira left for Juventus in 2005 but this is Flamini's first season as a regular after waiting patiently for his chance. Nonetheless, Wenger believes that the current incumbents have the edge on their illustrious midfield predecessors.
"Yes, this is the best partnership," said the Arsenal manager.
"Going forward they [Fabregas and Flamini] are technically good and very mobile. Before we had players with impact and now the players' strength is in mobility.
"Maybe they are less physically strong in the challenge than Vieira and Petit but they have a good understanding and they cover each other well."
Fans and pundits alike were urging Wenger to invest in an established midfielder after the departure of Vieira three years ago but the Frenchman stuck to his guns and stuck with his young Gunners. Fabregas, and now Flamini, have benefited from Wenger's policy and the Frenchman feels vindicated.
"We build a team over years being very restrictive about our spending and you are only rewarded if you can keep the team together," said Wenger.
zullio
New member
dont be angry at fgl, but i never really liked flamini.
he is very arrogant and it really shows during matches, big or small..
well, i dun really haf evidence to back this up but yeah jus watch.
i prefer the denilson over flamini, but that guy pon arrogant.
haha.
jus my thoughts
he is very arrogant and it really shows during matches, big or small..
well, i dun really haf evidence to back this up but yeah jus watch.
i prefer the denilson over flamini, but that guy pon arrogant.
haha.
jus my thoughts
fgl
Well-known member
wah jaarvis. hardcore fan. no man u, no watch for me.
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