Arsenal-Mania

Flamini on why he chose to sign for Milan instead

By Jonathan Chong on Sunday, May 11, 2008

Former Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini has revealed that one of the reasons why he chose to sign for Milan was down to the fact that the Gunners had failed to win any trophies.

It was especially painful given that the Gunners were leading the league for such a long period of time and are now no longer in contention.

Flamini said: "That [winning a trophy] would have weighed in the balance. It would certainly have counted.

"I had actually wanted to sign a new contract at Arsenal last July but it didn't happen. Milan did so much to sign me I couldn't refuse.

"What happened to us after leading the league for so long was the most painful experience I had during four years at Arsenal.

"It has hurt terribly to have invested so much of yourself, to have given everything, to have gone beyond pain and to fall short in the end.

"I hope with all my heart that Arsenal win the title next year. And I would love to play against them in the Champions League final next year."

User Comments

38

seyi

Posted on 15 May, 2008 at 07:07 AM - Reply

he was the rock of the team all round great guy and very committed but to sell your best playing football days for a couple of bucks 'that aint right'but since you are out Good luck. Arsenal was great before you came and would be great for long after you have gone

37

Total Package

Posted on 15 May, 2008 at 03:14 AM - Reply

I will miss him but, I wish that he would have stayed. We need a rock to hold the midfield.....

36

Ocean

Posted on 14 May, 2008 at 05:45 AM - Reply

Flamini made a wrong choice. It is betrayal to the club. Being in the club is not only for trophies. There is a spirit called dedication. Even if he desired trophy,Milan didn't win their league nor they won champions league. How can they assure trophies??

35

Vinny

Posted on 13 May, 2008 at 12:57 AM - Reply

ah wat can u do, the guy prefers 2 go somewhere where he is not gona play champions league, n prob gona finish 4th-5th max, cuz he knows fabregas does everyting in midfield n is afraid if he leaves no team is ever gona show no more interest after they realise how bad he is. arsenal made u, now u tink u are 2 good for us.. its like pushin your mother off a cliff for money. 2 bad flams, really thought u was different

34

tony

Posted on 12 May, 2008 at 07:00 PM - Reply

He says its all about a trophy less season and that's why he chose Milan and he wants to play against Arsenal in the Champions league. This Flamini is a big fart and before he continues farting he better checks his Milan side whether they will make it to the Champions league next year , because I doubt it

33

abC

Posted on 12 May, 2008 at 04:34 PM - Reply

yeah..Milan it s nearly out from the next CL..good choice Flam!

32

will

Posted on 12 May, 2008 at 12:24 PM - Reply

hasn't he looked at where milan are in the italian leauge

31

Kenze

Posted on 12 May, 2008 at 11:43 AM - Reply

...no, he didn't? A defensive midfielder whose responsibility is to offer the defence some cover is complaining about Arsenal's collapse? Listen young man, just go away quickly and dont make yourself more of an uncommitted, money-mongering person that you already seem. Arsenal made you who you are and decency demands that you show us more respect. Goodluck!

30

bro pro gunners

Posted on 12 May, 2008 at 10:31 AM - Reply

it is as if milan have won big trophies..no flamini it's just big money and the head is getting a little bit big...

29

clarkee

Posted on 12 May, 2008 at 08:28 AM - Reply

bad choice bad move will regret it in the long run seems a very greedy move thats about all the team we got could easily dominate any italian side thrown at us

28

Nelson Francisco Rodriguez

Posted on 12 May, 2008 at 06:18 AM - Reply

Are you kidding me? What an idiot. What a selfish ass licking punk! Grease monkey, what ever happened to 'team loyalty'? Have fun playing footy with a bunch of old farts; ie. Cafu / Maldini / Sheva???

27

safiqnel

Posted on 12 May, 2008 at 05:34 AM - Reply

i agree with all of you..
flamini go to the team that don't have place in UEFA...

please do not insult the Arsenal fans intelligence!!!!

26

metalgunners

Posted on 12 May, 2008 at 02:33 AM - Reply

i think its not about the trophy lah...its about the MONEY. rite mathieu!?

25

Cesc

Posted on 12 May, 2008 at 02:12 AM - Reply

The players were to blame for that 8 game slump and that includes flamini. Anyways have fun playing Uefa next year.

24

3rd Bass

Posted on 11 May, 2008 at 10:23 PM - Reply

He went for the money and that's all. Anyone can see we're on the verge of becoming all powerful. Good luck to him and his family.

23

Yusuf

Posted on 11 May, 2008 at 10:13 PM - Reply

He was my favourite player this season, and I bet, given a fair chance, he'll excel at Milan. We got him for free, got four good years from him, lost him for free. Totally replaceable. Could have made history with Fabregas, but he chose the short term route. In the long term, he made a bad choice. He'd have been an Arsenal legend. Flamini wanted money above legendary status. His choice. But let's face it, he's not a striker, he'll not regret leaving us.

22

joe

Posted on 11 May, 2008 at 10:11 PM - Reply

hahahaha wow. its not like milan's doing much better, they're probably doing worse.

21

Raygunn

Posted on 11 May, 2008 at 09:53 PM - Reply

It's come out that he was only on 20k a month!! and gave more commitment than many who earn 5x that a week. we all know footballers have a short career, so thanks Flamini and good luck. where will you wish you were when we win trophies next season?

20

Robin

Posted on 11 May, 2008 at 09:49 PM - Reply

Dont think we should be insulting him, if he wants to leave then hes free to do so. A footballer's career is very short so why shouldnt he be allowed to leave if he thib=nks he'd be happier somewher else?

19

truth_hurts

Posted on 11 May, 2008 at 08:19 PM - Reply

i don't blame him for leaving but for him to leave us champions leage 1/4 finalist and 4 points away from the trophy for AC 5th in serie A is purely for financial reasons.

18

maltese gooner

Posted on 11 May, 2008 at 07:32 PM - Reply

i agree, shut up flamini and ohh you began really wrong, milan is not yet in the champions league. those who left us didn't played well with their new team as they did for us. my last advice to flamini, this is the best regards you had for your manager, team mates and supporters, fuck in hell

17

SW16Gooner

Posted on 11 May, 2008 at 07:08 PM - Reply

Boo hoo hoo! So, Flamini..or should I say Fmilani or even Flamoney, you were so sad to miss out on the premiership that you would rather run away from the club that will achieve much more next season to a club who will probably achieve a lot less! You must think that all gooners care as little about our club as you do! I hope you your club and international careers just evaporate from now on.

16

shooy

Posted on 11 May, 2008 at 06:33 PM - Reply

I'd like to say - fuck off, Flamini, you were part of the problem and chose to run away. If this is all you've got to say then shut the fuck up and stop enbarrassing yourself and insulting us.

15

Milot, Kosova

Posted on 11 May, 2008 at 06:12 PM - Reply

He choose UEFA instead...maybe u will see us in final, but only in TV.

14

Babatunde

Posted on 11 May, 2008 at 05:58 PM - Reply

As much as I loved Flamini when he was playing for Arsenal, I must say that this move was an unwise one for him. AC Milan might not be in the Champion's league next year. It was time for Flamini to show belief in the Club and the squad but the lure of money was just too much. I hope for his own good that his story does not turn out to be another Anelka story.

13

Abiodun Adewale A.

Posted on 11 May, 2008 at 05:40 PM - Reply

I think Flamini isn't sincere. We all know it was down to money matter. Afterall, Milan also haven't won the serie A in three years. So matheu's excuse counts for nothing.

12

baddy

Posted on 11 May, 2008 at 05:31 PM - Reply

I'm not sure AC Milan will play in the champions league next season, & i really hope they wont so that it would be easier for Mr Flamoney to recognise how stupid his move was ....

11

Lanesra

Posted on 11 May, 2008 at 05:16 PM - Reply

So. Am I impressed? Do I have feelings for him. No way. He went the Cashley route and ayone who doesn't want an Arsenal shirt can get on their bike.

10

sagun

Posted on 11 May, 2008 at 05:07 PM - Reply

this was all wenger's fault

9

cuban

Posted on 11 May, 2008 at 05:04 PM - Reply

well...shame AC won�t play CL next year :-)

8

liamog

Posted on 11 May, 2008 at 04:38 PM - Reply

it's not lookin' too good for the rossaneri to even be in the champions league next season. ha ha

7

Alex

Posted on 11 May, 2008 at 04:36 PM - Reply

Of course, Milan would need to qualify for that to happen...

6

FLAMONEY

Posted on 11 May, 2008 at 04:10 PM - Reply

stop bullshitting, he just wan money.

5

angryman

Posted on 11 May, 2008 at 04:06 PM - Reply

Just say it flams.Your signed for them because they wanted to give you loads of cash. You money grubbing mofo. Milan probably won't even qualify for the champions league. I hope we don't ever see your ugly mug again. Have fun rotting on the bench at milan.

4

Sue

Posted on 11 May, 2008 at 03:57 PM - Reply

What I would like to say wouldn't be printable!!!

Don't lie Matty you did it for the almighty Euro, please do not insult the Arsenal fans intelligence!!!!