French midfielder Mathieu Flamini has revealed that he did not join AC Milan and leave Arsenal for money, and that if the club had have offered him a deal last July he would've signed it. Flamini also revealed that a mystery English club made a huge offer for him.

”Some people say I left for money, but I could have joined an English club who offered me much more than Arsenal,” he told The Sun.

”I decided against it out of my respect and bond with the club.

“Last July I told Arsenal I wanted to extend my contract so, of course, I would have signed if they had offered me a deal . . . but they didn’t.

“They said they wanted me to prove myself first.

“It was difficult for me at the beginning. I had to see it as a challenge but I won’t lie, it was not easy. You have to be mentally very strong to cope.”