Wenger nearly didn't re-sign Mathieu Flamini

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted that bringing Mathieu Flamini back to the Emirates was not an easy decision to make. The Frenchman arrived this summer on a free transfer from AC Milan.

Flamini left Arsenal in somewhat contentious circumstances back in 2008, when he then signed for Italian side Milan.


Arsene Wenger admits that he was disappointed with the way Flamini left the club back then:  "First of all I believe that he realised what he had here. When you’re very young, it is difficult to understand what he had at Arsenal.


"I must say I was reluctant to sign him again, but he was so honest in his statement that he wants to play the kind of football we play, that he wants to help us to win. He convinced me through his attitude and his desire in training that he will be the right signing for us.


"He could have gone somewhere else. He had offers but he wanted to put it right with this club."