Clock ticking for Flamini

Filed under: Arsenal

When your selection for a Carling Cup tie is met with general ambivalence by supporters, it is clear your Arsenal career is nearing an end. And that is the fate currently befalling Mathieu Flamini.

The combative Flamini is no bad player, of course. Indeed, he proved himself a surprisingly competent fill-in left-back last season in Arsenal’s tremendous run to the Champions League Final. But the end of his Arsenal career probably came when, at the start of the current campaign, he professed a reluctance to play there again, preferring to revert back to his previous position in the centre of midfield.

Flamini provides work-rate in abundance, energy and tenacity. In this respect, he has come close to filling the void created by Ray Parlour. But he palpably lacks the something special required; he is neither a playmaker nor a genuine holding player.

His versatility and enthusiasm have lead to comparisons with fellow Frenchman Gilles Grimandi; with the greatest respect to Grimandi, Flamini will take no pleasure from these. Since joining in 2004, he has proved himself a willing stand-in. But it seems that is no longer enough.

As well as first-teamers Gilberto, Cesc Fabregas and Tomas Rosicky, Arsenal have a host of other options in central midfield.

They have the ‘next Vieira’ Abou Diaby, who impressed greatly last season before getting injured. There is also 18-year-old Brazilian Denilson, who has the physique and footballing intelligence to be a tremendous success. Even Alexandre Song, so castigated last campaign, appears to be coming good.

With Diaby, Denilson and Song all appearing to possess far greater potential than the gutsy but limited Flamini, the Frenchman’s days at Arsenal seem nearing an end. After all the controversy following his move from Marseilles, it seems Flamini is simply not quite good enough to make the grade. Like compatriot Pascal Cygan, his willingness has never been in doubt, but, unless he is content with a role on the periphery, Arsenal will expect around £ 4million for his services come summer – or perhaps even January.