PLAYER PROFILE

Mathieu Flamini

Position: Midfield

Height: 5'10

Weight: 10st 7lbs

Date of Birth: 1984-03-07 Marseille, France

Mathieu Flamini

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger added another promisng French youngster to his squad after completing the controversial signing of Marseille midfielder Mathieu Flamini in July 2004.

The French under-21 international has signed a long-term contract, believed to be four years, with the Gunners after spending the last 14 years with Marseille.

"We're very pleased to welcome Mathieu to the club. He may be young, but already he has a good level of top flight experience," said Wenger.

"He is very powerful and plays with great creativity, both as a defensive and attacking midfielder, and will be a tremendous addition to our squad."

However, Marseille coach Jose Anigo is furious at Flamini's decision, accusing the player of treason.

"This is a beautiful treason. Flamini used me," he fumed.

"It's good money-wise that he hasn't signed for us. His sporting argument, that he feared he would play less, is no longer valid.

"This story has brought me to one conclusion. From now on, I'll no longer play anyone in the league who hasn't signed a professional contract.

"That deals a blow to me, because the team is all I am bothered about. But my view in that regard will never be the same again."

Despite this controversy, Flamini made a composed start to his Highbury career. He made his Arsenal debut in the 4-1 victory away to Everton (he later scored his first goal in the 7-0 drubbing in the return game) and his first European game was in the 1-1 draw with PSV Eindhoven. Overall, he played 32 games.

Flamini continued to be a reliable part of the midfield in 05/06 and played 48 games. However, he was more of a second-stringer in the 06/07 season and has admitted that his future may rest elsewhere.