Wenger praise for Flamini

Gunners boss credits midfielder

By Peter Fraser   Last updated: 1st October 2007

flamini mathieu

Flamini: Growing

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Arsene Wenger has praised the performances of Mathieu Flamini in Arsenal's unbeaten start to the season.

Arsenal secured their sixth win from seven Premier League game's this season with a 1-0 win over West Ham on Saturday and Flamini was a pivotal figure.

The 23-year-old almost walked away from Emirates Stadium in the summer following a lack of first-team opportunities.

However, with Internazionale and a number of English sides reportedly circling, the French midfielder performed a u-turn and now finds himself a Gunners regular.

Bossy attitude

"Mathieu realised he was maybe at a place where he will get a chance if he is doing well," said Wenger.

"He is growing - he has a little bossy attitude in midfield you know and he is an organiser, a fighter and a winner.

"He has improved in football terms; his vision is better, his presence is better and overall at the moment he is doing very well.

"Mathieu told me first he wanted to leave and of course I couldn't do anything against that because he had the right to do it.

"After, when he changed his mind, I said 'okay, you fight like everybody else for your job and for your position' - and he does that well because at a big club you must be prepared to put your backs to the wall, be capable to respond, and he does."