Flamini wasn't there when we went

10 games 8 wins 2 draws 5 conceded 5 clean sheets.

I feel his role is overhyped just because he "looks busy".

Not saying he isn't important but Arteta can do a suitable job as well.

Not saying he isn't important but Arteta can do a suitable job as well.
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Go back to the Villa game at home. A game we would have won if we had Flamini in the team.

Arteta is great, but in some games we need a proper DM type player. It's quite amusing to see us completely underrate another DM who's doing his job well, and that's to let other players play football.

Monreal and arteta have to given credit too as they've had alot of game time. TV hasn't played as much but this season when asked to step in has done a good job. I'd really love him to regain his 08/09 form or even if he just gives one amazing performance amd wins us a vital 3 points he'll be loved again

No way Arteta is too weak and slow and gives away the most annoying fouls, he's good on the ball but all the other midfielders around him are even better than him on the ball meaning he isn't much use. Flamini on the other hand does something the others don't do.

Let's not forget how vocal the lad is too that's a big thing to have next to our luxurious midfield players....

If arteta doesn't get credit then neither should gibbs. Monreal amd arteta have been just as important as flamini and gibbs have. The other 4 you mentioned have stayed in their positions for over 90% of the season

That was in response to Ollie

Frimboue
I agree although I would be concerned if any of those 3 you mentioned played for us regularly, they're 2nd choice for a reason

Of course they get credit but for me backup is where they should remain a lot changes if that back 6 is split up for a long period

I think Flamini are Arteta are as important as each other, they both offer something different in that role that allows us to now be able to set up correctly for any team, rather than getting exposed. If we had Flamini last season and Arteta came in this year bringing something new to the team then he would be praised almost as much as Flamini has this year.

That said, a lot of it comes down to personal preference between their styles.

Wenger seems to pick Arteta more often than Flamini when both available.

TBAG
I really don't want to come across like I'm putting Mikel down but I disagree the 2nd part of your 1st paragraph. Arteta hasn't really been key since his first season and that's because after losing Cesc he became our most technical midfielder, he was alongside a physical Song and we all know Ramsey was below par at that point, so his passing was vital and even then Song showed more creativity that year.

Now though, he's no better than all our options now and doesn't bring much different to the team anymore, Flamini can do what the others don't which allows them to play but Arteta likes to be in among the possession which we don't need from him so much. He lacks mobility and strength and isn't as technically capable as the rest.

Very good squad player for experience and the fact that he's nothing less than a good player but when everyones fit he'd do well to make my bench.

Our midfield will be complete when we have a powerhouse in the midfield instead of Flamini alongside Jack/Rambo in the deep role, you see the difference Diaby made last year but obviously he can't be relied on so I'd still get someone there long term like Wanyama/Pogba.

For me Flamini is a perfect stop-gap considering his price

The best stat I saw on the BBC was since Jan 2012 out of every game with Per and Kos that we have played (27) we have lost 0.

I'm a big fan of Arteta. Wonderful player.

But like the OP, I really do think that Flamini gives the team something that NO OTHER player in the squad does or can!

He's a NATURAL "ballwinner" and seems to relishes doing the dirtywork in the middle of the park, getting his hands dirty, as it were.

The protection Flamini gives the defence is one of the reasons why Arsenal have morphed from a defensive unit with more holes than a colander (maybe a bit dramatic an term), into a a formidable defensive outfit.

Again Moist

Arsenal's defence "evolved" after the Spurs loss, before Flamini arrived.

We only conceded 5 goals in the final 10 matches which saw us pick up 26 points to pip Spurs to 4th place by 1 measly point

We did all that with Ramsey and Arteta as the 2 in CM.

Flamini is just a proper hardman.

Even in this weather he plays with his sleeves rolled up and no gloves whilst all the others are wrapped up in Wenger coats.

I hope Vermaelen regains his form. He's one of my favourite Arsenal players. I remember how he gained a reputation for being indestructible in his first seasons, and was a great marauding player, if not perhaps the most conscientious defender. BUT that was Wenger's game plan at the time - 'never mind the defence, we just have to score more goals than the other team'.

Flamini wins the ball and gives it away. #worldclass

Again Moist

Arsenal's defence "evolved" after the Spurs loss, before Flamini arrived.

We only conceded 5 goals in the final 10 matches which saw us pick up 26 points to pip Spurs to 4th place by 1 measly point

We did all that with Ramsey and Arteta as the 2 in CM.

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Totally agree with the evolution of the defence. And I acknowledge and appreciate the "change" began pre-Flamini re-signing for the club.

But I do feel that having Flamini anchor a midfield gives Arsenal more protection and a licence to play their natural, QUICK, incisive passing game.

There are ALWAYS exceptions to the rules, but I am a big believer, that a team who likes to play a quick/passing game, will nearly ALWAYS perform better with 1 dedicated player who will go about their business, putting out fires (metaphorically speaking), snuffing out danger before it happens and adding synergy with their desire to win the ball back and press the opposition. Flamini gives Arsenal exactly that, in a capacity that no other player in the squad does.

We did all that with Ramsey and Arteta as the 2 in CM.

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Totally agree with the evolution of the defence. And I acknowledge and appreciate the "change" began pre-Flamini re-signing for the club.

But I do feel that having Flamini anchor a midfield gives Arsenal more protection and a licence to play their natural, QUICK, incisive passing game.
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That says it all though right?

We needed 2 in Flamini's position for the same results. Now we use one player meaning an extra player in attack.

Personally Goonz, I'd like to see another, younger, Flamini type midfielder in the squad.

I think Wenger's preference is to have a very attack minded midfield, which is all well and good. But just looking at the difference in play (it's SO much quicker) when Flamini starts games, it speaks volumes (imo).

Agree with most of what Moist has said

I think we need something remarkably different from Flamini when our midfield finally does become complete, someone quite tall because we don't win aerial balls in the midfield Giroud always has to come back, also the likes of Yaya (and anyone remember how well Wanyama played against us?) still waltz through the middle.

Flamini is a great short-term solution but long term basically we still have to replace Vieira imo

I like the idea of having a Flamini type mf player along with Ramsey, Wilshere and a brute fighting for the 2 deep lying CM roles.

Pogba and Lars Bender to replace Flamini and Arteta long term would be the dream.

Pogba and Lars Bender

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I'd gladly take either.

Pogba is almost certainly gonna leave Turin sooner or later (reading between the lines). I'm fairly sure he'll end up at PSG, sadly... Bender is obviously someone Wenger likes the look of, having bid for him previously.