Mathieu Flamini

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Mathieu Flamini
Personal information
Full name Mathieu Flamini
Date of birth March 7, 1984 (1984-03-07) (age 24)
Place of birth    Marseille, France
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Playing position Defensive Midfielder
Club information
Current club A.C. Milan
Number 15
Youth clubs
2001–2003 Marseille B
Senior clubs1
Years Club App (Gls)*
2003–2004
2004–2008
2008–		 Marseille
Arsenal
A.C. Milan		 014 (0)
102 (7)
000 (0)   
National team2
2004–2005
2007–		 France U–21
France		 008 (1)
002 (0)

1 Senior club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only and
correct as of May 10, 2008 (UTC).
2 National team caps and goals correct
as of May 28, 2008(UTC).
* Appearances (Goals)

Mathieu Flamini (born March 7, 1984 in Marseille) is a French international footballer currently playing for Arsenal F.C. His natural position is defensive midfielder, but he can also play as a fullback. Flamini will join A.C. Milan on a free transfer as of July 1, 2008.[1][2]

Contents

Club career

Olympique de Marseille

Flamini was a youth team player for his local professional club Olympique de Marseille. He made his debut for the senior team on December 20, 2003 in the 1–0 victory over Toulouse FC. He impressed for the team as a hardworking midfield player playing 14 times for the club. However it was his performances in Marseille’s UEFA Cup campaign that brought him to the attention of the general football world, including the semi-final victory over Newcastle United. He played in the final in Gothenburg which Valencia won 2–0. Due to his age, Marseille was unable to offer him a long term professional contract.

Arsenal

2004–05 season

On July 23, 2004, Flamini signed a professional contract for Arsenal, rejecting Marseille's long-term senior contract offer to which he had already verbally agreed to. Soon after the incident, Marseille manager José Anigo stated, "This is a beautiful treason. He used me."

Flamini made his Arsenal début in the 4–1 win at Everton on August 15, 2004. He was used as a utility player starting 9 games but being used as a substitute in 12. The following season saw him filling in for a number of injured players, but unable to command a first team place in his favoured position.

2005–06 season

While he is naturally a defensive midfielder, he has been used as a right winger. Due to injuries in Arsenal's back line, he has also operated in the left back position, after injuries to Ashley Cole, Gaël Clichy, Pascal Cygan, Lauren and Kerrea Gilbert . However, despite being right-footed, Flamini performed respectably during the remainder of Arsenal's Premiership and Champions League campaign. When Ashley Cole became fit again, though, he returned to the starting lineup. In May 2006 he came on as a 76th minute substitute in the Champions League Final which Arsenal lost to Barcelona in Paris.

2006–07 season

In the 2006–07 season, Flamini scored the winner against Dinamo Zagreb in the qualifying stages of the Champions League. He also scored important goals against Chelsea, Blackburn Rovers, and Liverpool in the Premiership. However, despite these important goals, he remained unsatisfied with his "utility player" role at the club and in April 2007, he admitted that he would probably be leaving Arsenal by buying out the remaining year on his contract at the end of the current season. However, he reconsidered after a long talk with manager Arsène Wenger and remained with the team.

2007–08 season

Flamini started in central midfield for Arsenal's first match of the 2007–08 Premier League season, due to the absence of Gilberto Silva and Abou Diaby. During the start of Arsenal's 2007–08 campaign, he struck up a strong partnership with Cesc Fabregas, keeping the likes of Gilberto Silva out of the starting XI with displays widely regarded by Arsenal fans as a vast improvement on those during his previous years at the club. Flamini enjoys a generally good rapport with Arsenal's fans, who have provided him with his own song, an adaptation of the theme tune to British television programme The Sweeney. On January 29, 2008, he scored an extraordinary 25-yard strike in Arsenal's 3–0 win over Newcastle United in the Premier League. He played his last official game on 8 April 2008, a UEFA Champions League match that Arsenal was knocked out by English rival Liverpool F.C.. After the match, it was reported he was injured.[3]

A.C. Milan

Flamini has signed a contract with A.C. Milan where he will be earning €5.6 million per season over a four year period. [1]. The contract was completed on May 5, 2008. [2]

Playing style

Flamini's natural position is central midfielder, where he has formed a formidable partnership with Fabregas. His passing is also very consistent - he has attempted the 2nd most passes in the Premier League during the 2007–08 season. In addition, his tackling ability, stamina, and work rate have improved since moving to Arsenal.

International career

Flamini accepted his first call up to France by coach Raymond Domenech for a friendly against Argentina at the Stade de France on February 7, 2007 after Jérémy Toulalan was ruled out due to injury. He later made his international debut in a friendly against Morocco on November 16, 2007 as a substitute.[4]

Career statistics

Updated to games played May 20, 2008.[5]

Club Season Domestic
League		 Domestic
Cup1		 European
Competition2		 Other
Tournaments3		 Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Marseille 2003–04 14 0 - - 9 0 - - 23 0
Total 14 0 - - 9 0 - - 23 0
Arsenal 2004–05 21 1 7 0 4 0 - - 32 1
2005–06 31 0 5 0 12 0 1 0 49 0
2006–07 20 3 6 0 6 1 - - 32 4
2007–08 30 3 2 0 8 0 - - 40 3
Total 102 7 20 0 30 1 1 0 153 8
Career Total 116 7 20 0 39 1 1 0 176 8

1Domestics Cups for Arsenal years include both FA Cup and League Cup
2European competitions include the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup
3Other tournaments include the FA Community Shield

Honours

Marseille:

Arsenal

References

  1. ^ Flamini seals switch to AC Milan. BBC (2008-05-05). Retrieved on 2008-05-05.
  2. ^ Benvenuto Mathieu!, acmilan.com (Italian)
  3. ^ "Flamini out for three weeks", AFP, 2008-04-10. Retrieved on 2008-05-15. 
  4. ^ France 2–1 Maroc, fff.fr, 16 November 2007, accessed 17 November 2007.
  5. ^ History, soccernet.espn.go.com, accessed September 22, 2007.

External links


v • d • e
A.C. Milan – current squad

1 Dida • 3 Maldini • 4 Kaladze • 5 Emerson • 7 Pato • 8 Gattuso • 9 Inzaghi • 10 Seedorf • 13 Nesta • 16 Kalac • 17 Šimić • 18 Jankulovski • 19 Favalli • 21 Pirlo • 22 Kaká • 23 Ambrosini • 25 Bonera • 31 Digão • 32 Brocchi • 36 Darmian • 43 Paloschi • 44 Oddo • 94 Aubameyang • 99 Ronaldo • ¬ Flamini • ¬ Borriello • ¬ Zambrotta • ¬ Antonini • ¬ Abbiati • Coach: Ancelotti
Persondata
NAME Flamini, Mathieu
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Flamini, Mathieu
SHORT DESCRIPTION Professional footballer
DATE OF BIRTH 1984-03-07
PLACE OF BIRTH Marseille, France
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH