Mathieu Flamini has admitted a lack of first-team opportunities could force him to buy out the final year of his contract and leave Arsenal. He is unhappy that he is playing so few games even though there is a string of injuries to the starting line up. The defensive midfielder was recruited by the Gunners from Marseille in the summer of 2004, but has failed to secure a regular place in the club's starting eleven.
The 23-year-old is now in competition with a clutch of young midfield talent brought through by manager Arsene Wenger, such as Cesc Fabregas, Abou Diaby and Denilson. 'The next three years will be important for me,' Flamini told L'Equipe. 'I want to play, to go to the next level. The Arsenal team is young, it has quality, but I am not playing as much at the moment. It isn't easy to live like this and I am in a situation where all players ask themselves questions.' 'I am coming to the end of the cycle. I have just spent three years at Arsenal and my lawyer has told me that I could leave in June. For that, I must pay the final year's salary to the club.'
Flamini's stock rose earlier this season when he was drafted into the France squad by coach Raymond Domenech for February's friendly against Argentina. His versatility came to Arsenal's rescue last season when he played at left-back in the absence of the injured Ashley Cole and Gael Clichy. He proved a key player for Wenger in the Gunners' run to the Champions League final. However, he lost his place to Cole for the showpiece against Barcelona, who ended up winning 2-1. To add insult to injury, Cole left the Gunners for Chelsea. Flamini was then reported to be fuming over his exclusion in preference to Cole. This is despite his previous contribution.
Personally, I hope Flamini stays and prove his worth. We already need whatever experience possible. If we lose him, the team is even younger than before.
Go Gunners!
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