Arsenal’s Mathieu Flamini always had faith that Gunners boss Arsene Wenger still had it in him to be a winner and believed he would end his side’s trophy drought this year. According to the midfielder, Wenger’s position at the club was never in jeopardy despite previous speculation, and that would have been the case even had he not sealed FA Cup victory for Arsenal in May.
In the months running up to the FA Cup final, rumours surrounding Wenger and his future were constantly circling and he was under immense pressure from supporters to ensure the club did not complete a ninth consecutive season trophy-less.
Reports stated that Wenger would be forced to give serious consideration to his position at Arsenal should he have failed his FA Cup win-campaign, however Flamini did not believe for one moment there was any chance of the 64-year-old leaving, whatever the outcome of the competition.
Fortunately for Wenger, faith was restored in sceptical Gunners fans when their side defeated Steve Bruce’s Hull City and as soon as Wenger had filled his boots of lifting the FA Cup and celebrating with the team, he extended his contract by three years.
Flamini told talkSPORT: “To be honest I don’t think there was a chance (of Wenger leaving).
“He means so much to this club and he’s done so much for this club and Arsene Wenger for me represents Arsenal.
“He has been here for so long and he brought the club from one stage to another one, so I was not surprised when he signed a new contract.”
It would appear that Flamini’s heart is well and truly with Wenger at Arsenal. He played under the fellow Frenchman from 2004-2008 then left to play for AC Milan in the Italian Serie A for five years. He returned to London last summer to work with Wenger at Arsenal for the second time.
“This club means a lot to me,” he said, “it’s played a big role in my career and Arsene Wenger has too, as he’s the one who bought me when I was 20 years old. I feel at home here.”