We can only hope Flamini follows suit. It will be the best addition by subtraction deal in recent years.

I wonder if Romagnoli goes the other way as an unofficial part of that deal.

Clunk wrote:

We can only hope Flamini follows suit. It will be the best addition by subtraction deal in recent years.

I have never been a fan of Flamini. I think he has barely ever reproduced the form he showed for the first half of 2007-08 but we need another body in midfield if he goes. 

I'd rather not see Flamini on the field, it's like playing with 10 men and whatever, but he is another midfielder and I do think just Ramsey, Coquelin, Arteta and Cazorla aren't enough given our injury troubles and the number of games we will play. 

Wenger confirmed today that Wilshere will definitely play further forward. There is no one in the youth ranks either. We are taking a massive gamble if we are going into the season with just the aforementioned 4 players as our choices for central midfield.

Coquelin-Cazorla and Ramsey-Arteta is enough tbh, unless there's some sort of injury crisis where 3 get injured at the same time.

Arteta missed the whole of last season and isn't getting any younger.

If Arteta and Coquelin or Ramsey and Cazorla pick up injuries at the same time we are in deep trouble. I bloody think Cazorla and Arteta will be a ridiculous combination for the Premiership too. I think we are taking a huge risk going into the season with just 4 central midfielders, 2 of them being Cazorla and Arteta.

Rohit wrote:
Clunk wrote:

We can only hope Flamini follows suit. It will be the best addition by subtraction deal in recent years.

I have never been a fan of Flamini. I think he has barely ever reproduced the form he showed for the first half of 2007-08 but we need another body in midfield if he goes. 

I'd rather not see Flamini on the field, it's like playing with 10 men and whatever, but he is another midfielder and I do think just Ramsey, Coquelin, Arteta and Cazorla aren't enough given our injury troubles and the number of games we will play. 

Wenger confirmed today that Wilshere will definitely play further forward. There is no one in the youth ranks either. We are taking a massive gamble if we are going into the season with just the aforementioned 4 players as our choices for central midfield.

I am pretty certain we are looking for another midfielder even before Flamini left. Him leaving might just convince Wenger to be decisive and sign another player for it.

Did he categorically say that Wilshere will play in advanced positions? That means Giroud, Welbeck, Sanchez, Ozil, Walcott, Chamberlain, Gnabry, Wilshere for the front four with potentially Ramsey being asked to play there at times when we field Coquelin-Cazorla as well - we really need to chop some deadwood there - Welbeck out and Gnabry on loan perhaps with one new arrival.

Quotes following today's presser on the official website: 

[size=small][font=ff-meta-web-pro-n4, ff-meta-web-pro, arial, sans-serif]on where Wilshere fits in…[/font][/size]

[size=small][font=ff-meta-web-pro-n4, ff-meta-web-pro, arial, sans-serif]I personally see him in a creative, offensive position. It can be on the flank, it can be through the middle but for me he’s a creator in the final third.[/font][/size]

Yeah, but he'd have to be some sort of sadist to not be willing to play Wilshere at centre mid in the event of a couple of injuries. There's also Rosicky and the Ox who can do a good job in the middle. Even if we sell Flamini we don't need another body in there. If some irresistible top quality becomes available then sure, but otherwise we shouldn't bother.

marv3llous wrote:

#BielikIn

He looks about 45!

More importantly - he looks massive. 🙂

Hope he gets some game-time in the Emirates Cup in Flamini's absence. Will show us how close/far he is to/from the first team.

Rex wrote:

More importantly - he looks massive. 🙂

Nearly 6'3" apparently.

I love that in a midfield destroyer. Now, if can also play a bit...

Glad for the boy if this is true. French league is less physical and intense, and maybe his body can manage. Would actually make me warm and fuzzy if Big Bad Abou can manage to play football for a few years.

Totally, I'd love to see him playing regularly somewhere and doing ok, it's been a tortuous saga the past few years.

i think he's a marseille fan too.