http://www.sgforums.com/forums/2497/topics/316532 en-US 60 <h2>WENGER REVEALS TRANSFER INTENTIONS</h2> <div><br /> <br /></div> <div> <p><span><strong>Arsene Wenger has confirmed that he is searching for a new centre-half to solve Arsenal's weakness against the long ball as well as a 'creative playmaker'.</strong></span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Speaking at a meeting with shareholders at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, the Gunners boss was unusually forthcoming on his intention to enter the transfer market this summer - and jokingly advised stand-in managing director Ken Friar to stay near to a phone throughout the coming months.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>While insisting that his team defended set pieces as well as their title rivals, Wenger admitted that the Gunners had been vulnerable to long balls aimed down the middle of the defence and vowed to address the fault. Wenger also revealed that he wants to buy a creative player, although he didn't specify the exact position the player would fill. Already deprived of Mathieu Flamini's services for next season, speculation is rife that Alex Hleb will follow his close friend to Milan, although Wenger remain adamant that the Belarusian will not be sold.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>"What people say about the buy-out clause, it is not as simple as it looks," said the Frenchman. "It is much more difficult and the clubs are reluctant to do that [invoke the 'Webster Clause'].</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>"We want to keep Hleb, we want him to be part of our team next year. It is as simple as that. We have lost one player, we do not want to lose more."</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Arsenal are also expected to be in the market for a new centre-midfielder Following the departure of Flamini - a shortage set to be exacerbated by Gilberto Silva's exit.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> Wed, 07 May 2008 22:31:54 +0800 www.sgforums.com:2497:316532:8069221 zocoss http://www.sgforums.com/forums/2497/topics/316532 <p>Just get over it..he's gone. It's not as if he's irreplaceable</p> Wed, 07 May 2008 22:24:10 +0800 www.sgforums.com:2497:316532:8069186 glacer http://www.sgforums.com/forums/2497/topics/316532 <h2>WENGER DISAPPOINTED BY FLAMINI EXIT</h2> <div><span><img src= "http://clientimages.teamtalk.com/08/04/240/arsenewenger_784091.jpg" height="180" alt="" width="240" /></span></div> <div><span><strong>Arsene Wenger is "disappointed" Mathieu Flamini did not share his vision for Arsenal's future, but is convinced there are enough "winners" left in the squad to prove him right next season.</strong></span> <span><strong>The 24-year-old France midfielder, who was out of contract in the summer, earlier this week completed his long-anticipated move to AC Milan. Arsenal had been keen to keep Flamini, who forged a strong partnership with Cesc Fabregas at the heart of the team, but not at any cost.</strong></span></div> <div> <p>The Emirates Stadium club are understood to have offered Flamini - a player whom 12 months ago looked on his way out of the club - a lucrative new deal, worth around £55,000 a week.</p> <p>Because he was a free agent, Flamini was able to get himself a better package elsewhere and rumours continue over whether Inter Milan target Alexander Hleb or indeed Fabregas will be at Emirates Stadium for the start of next season.</p> <p>Wenger, though, insists Arsenal will not be held to ransom by anyone looking to force them to break the club's strict wages cap - and would not want anyone to stay unless it was to share his determination for success.</p> <p>"It is a problem [the salaries on offer] but we did not master this situation [with Flamini] because when a player is out of contract he can sign where he wants," said Wenger, speaking at a forum for Arsenal's shareholders.</p> <p>"I must say I am disappointed that he did that - but legally he can do it. "But I hope that 95% of the team, the core of the team, says 'come on, we have only just lost'. "And it is just, because we were leading at Manchester United, we were leading at Chelsea and we were leading at Liverpool in the Champions League - and every time we just lost a little bit of focus and lost the game.</p> <p>"Let's come back and show we are winners. That is the real target of the team." Wenger believes the experiences of the last nine months, when his side led the Barclays Premier League for long spells only to fade away, will leave his youngsters stronger for the challenges ahead next season.</p> <p>"We were close this year, but we did not win and what I expect from my team is that, if you are a winner, you say 'let's come back next year and win'," the Arsenal manager said.</p> <p>"If our players are not capable of doing that and just want to walk out for bigger contracts, for me that would be the biggest disappointment. "If you are a winner you say 'you beat me now in a game but give me a chance to come back and beat you'. That's what I expect of a team.</p> <p>"If they cannot do that then it means I was wrong completely in my whole judgement of this team. "That would be the biggest disappointment for the club - not only to not win this year but to not be capable of coming back together."</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> Wed, 07 May 2008 22:02:46 +0800 www.sgforums.com:2497:316532:8069109 zocoss http://www.sgforums.com/forums/2497/topics/316532 <blockquote> <div class="quote_from">Originally posted by Trump_Card:</div> <div class="quote_body"> <p>That's the worst part . Actually I thought Wenger should have made sure Flamini signed a new deal before selling Diarra .</p> </div> </blockquote> <p><br /> Nowadays, clubs must make sure that&nbsp;their players should have no less than a 2 yrs contract running... Anything less and the player could either walk away for nothing (like in Flamini case)&nbsp;or they can demand to leave and the club have to sell cheaply before their contract run out... If Dein was still around i think this wouldn't have happen... See A Cole case... his contract was running out then they re-contract him to another 4 yrs then the following year sell him away for $20m to Chelsea... (Gallas + $5m)...</p> Tue, 06 May 2008 11:30:37 +0800 www.sgforums.com:2497:316532:8065204 zocoss http://www.sgforums.com/forums/2497/topics/316532 <p>lol diarra mus be furious now he left arsenal..that midfiled slot wud be his instead...</p> Tue, 06 May 2008 11:28:19 +0800 www.sgforums.com:2497:316532:8065194 SiMiLaiEh* http://www.sgforums.com/forums/2497/topics/316532 <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>MILAN JOY AT FLAMINI CAPTURE</h2> <p><img src= "http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44626000/jpg/_44626401_flamini_b226.jpg" height="282" alt="" width="226" /><br /></p> <div> <p><span><strong>AC Milan have completed the signing of Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini on a four-year contract - but the club expect to miss out on Chelsea's Didier Drogba. Flamini is out of contract with the Gunners at the end of the season and on Monday agreed to join the Italian club in a deal which will begin on July 1.</strong></span></p> <p>Milan have also been strongly linked with Chelsea striker Drogba in Europe but Milan sporting director Ariedo Braida does not anticipate the Ivory Coast forward joining Flamini at the San Siro this summer. He said: "Drogba is a very interesting player that many clubs would want to have but he is under contract at Chelsea and I believe he will remain at Chelsea next season."</p> <p>As for France international Flamini, Braida revealed Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti is a great admirer of the 24-year-old. "I have to say Flamini was a player that Ancelotti really wanted and Milan is like a family, where decisions are made jointly," he said.</p> <p>Arsenal had hoped Flamini would agree a deal to stay at the Emirates Stadium, but they always knew it would be difficult with outfits like Juventus and Milan coveting the player. "Flamini is not an unknown player," said Braida. "Just like Didier Drogba isn't.</p> <p>"I'm not surprised by his talent and I assume several teams would have wanted his services. "Although no negotiations are ever easy, it wasn't difficult to convince Flamini to join Milan. "Flamini has made a choice as his contract with Arsenal is coming to an end and we are delighted he has chosen Milan.</p> <p>"He is a very good player and he can offer a lot to the team." Flamini expressed his joy at the move after finalising terms with the Serie A outfit. "I am extremely happy. Thanks a million," he said.</p> <p>Despite the offer of a lucrative new five-year deal - understood to be worth around £55,000-a-week - from the north London club, Flamini's head was turned by Milan's interest. Juventus were also reported to be tracking the player, who has formed a fine partnership with Cesc Fabregas this season after looking to be on his way out of the club at the end of the last campaign.</p> <p>He put in an impressive performance at the San Siro as Arsene Wenger's team knocked Milan out of the Champions League at the last-16 stage in March. It is understood the former Marseille man said his goodbyes to some staff as he left the car park after yesterday's home win over Everton in the Barclays Premier League.</p> <p>He will compete for a place in the Rossoneri midfield with Brazil star Kaka and the Italy trio of Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo and Massimo Ambrosini. Milan beat city rivals Inter Milan 2-1 today to climb into the final qualifying place for the Champions League, leapfrogging Fiorentina who lost 2-1 at Cagliari.</p> <p>Flamini's last match as an Arsenal player will be Sunday's Premier League trip to Sunderland.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> Tue, 06 May 2008 11:25:37 +0800 www.sgforums.com:2497:316532:8065190 zocoss http://www.sgforums.com/forums/2497/topics/316532 <blockquote> <div class="quote_from">Originally posted by zocoss:</div> <div class="quote_body"> <p><br /> Yeah apart from him leaving them, they get zero cents from him somemore... Money that could have been use to fund his replacement...</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>That's the worst part . Actually I thought Wenger should have made sure Flamini signed a new deal before selling Diarra .</p> Tue, 06 May 2008 11:25:07 +0800 www.sgforums.com:2497:316532:8065187 Trump_Card http://www.sgforums.com/forums/2497/topics/316532 <blockquote> <div class="quote_from">Originally posted by Trump_Card:</div> <div class="quote_body"> <p>Yalo ... knn ... If Arsenal have known Flamini would be leaving , I think Wenger would have given Diarra more games so as to make him stay at Arsenal .</p> </div> </blockquote> <p><br /> Yeah apart from him leaving them, they get zero cents from him somemore... Money that could have been use to fund his replacement...</p> Tue, 06 May 2008 11:21:18 +0800 www.sgforums.com:2497:316532:8065181 zocoss http://www.sgforums.com/forums/2497/topics/316532 <blockquote> <div class="quote_from">Originally posted by zocoss:</div> <div class="quote_body"> <p>What a waste for the gunners... <img src= "/images/emoticons/kde-3.5.8/plain/confused.png" alt= "confused.png" /></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Yalo ... knn ... If Arsenal have known Flamini would be leaving , I think Wenger would have given Diarra more games so as to make him stay at Arsenal .</p> Tue, 06 May 2008 11:17:18 +0800 www.sgforums.com:2497:316532:8065174 Trump_Card http://www.sgforums.com/forums/2497/topics/316532 <p>What a waste for the gunners... <img src= "/images/emoticons/kde-3.5.8/plain/confused.png" alt= "confused.png" /></p> Tue, 06 May 2008 11:05:39 +0800 www.sgforums.com:2497:316532:8065151 zocoss http://www.sgforums.com/forums/2497/topics/316532 <h2 class=""><span class="">Milan confirm Flamini deal</span></h2> <h3>Gunners midfielder pens four-year deal with Serie A side</h3> <p><img src= "http://img.skysports.com/08/01/218x298/MathieuFlamini_629508.jpg" height="298" alt="" width="218" /></p> <p class=""><span class="">Milan have confirmed that they have agreed a four-year contract with Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini.</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The out-of-contract France international underwent a medical on Monday and has reached an agreement that will keep him at the San Siro until June 2012.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>A statement on <em>Milan's official website</em> read: "Milan would like to confirm that we have signed a contract that will tie the French player Mathieu Flamini to the Rossoneri from 1st July 2008 till 30th June 2012."</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>On the agreement, Flamini told reporters: "I am very happy, thank you."</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said on <em>Uefa.com</em>: "Flamini is a very good player - we saw this when he played against us in the UEFA Champions League. This is an excellent signing."</p> <p><span class="">The 24-year-old joined The Gunners from Marseille in 2004, but initially struggled to hold down a regular starting berth in Arsene Wenger's starting XI.</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>This season, however, Flamini has made the centre-midfield position his own, forming an impressive partnership with Cesc Fabregas.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>His displays soon caught the attentions of a number of top European clubs, with Juventus thought to be leading the race to secure his services.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>But Milan's contract offer proved too good to refuse for the tenacious midfielder, despite Arsenal reportedly offering in the region of £55,000-a-week.</p> Tue, 06 May 2008 01:33:15 +0800 www.sgforums.com:2497:316532:8064825 Trump_Card http://www.sgforums.com/forums/2497/topics/316532 <blockquote> <div class="quote_from">Originally posted by redDUST:</div> <div class="quote_body"> <p>bosman ruling, 140k pounds a week, ....not bad for a young kid. arsenal will never match the salary.</p> </div> </blockquote> <p><br /> Milan is willing to pay him that much is because they feel they probably save $10 to $15 million pounds in transfer fee alone that was suppost to have gone to gunners... Now they don't need to pay out at one go instead they can drag it out for 5 yrs...</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> Tue, 06 May 2008 00:03:38 +0800 www.sgforums.com:2497:316532:8064569 zocoss http://www.sgforums.com/forums/2497/topics/316532 <p>milan bench not warm enough.</p> Mon, 05 May 2008 23:51:49 +0800 www.sgforums.com:2497:316532:8064536 sand king http://www.sgforums.com/forums/2497/topics/316532 <p>imo, flamini is a so so player only....</p> Mon, 05 May 2008 23:48:41 +0800 www.sgforums.com:2497:316532:8064525 redDUST http://www.sgforums.com/forums/2497/topics/316532 <p>confirm go one la. Who wants to live in the shadows of fabregas? Plus milan is a big club and giving top dollar. Plus the chance to lead a new lifestyle. Why stay at england when the cost of living is higher too.</p> Mon, 05 May 2008 23:45:52 +0800 www.sgforums.com:2497:316532:8064518 FirePig http://www.sgforums.com/forums/2497/topics/316532 <p>bosman ruling, 140k pounds a week, ....not bad for a young kid. arsenal will never match the salary.</p> Mon, 05 May 2008 23:37:30 +0800 www.sgforums.com:2497:316532:8064479 redDUST http://www.sgforums.com/forums/2497/topics/316532 <h1>Frenchman Flamini set to seal his switch from Arsenal to AC Milan</h1> <p><img src= "http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/05_02/flaminiAMA0505_468x355.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p><em>Flamini (left) leaves the Giannio resturant in</em><em>&nbsp;Milan after meeting AC Milan vice president Adriano Galliani with general director Ariedo Braida (right)</em></p> <p><strong>Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini will sign for AC Milan later today after passing a medical with the Italian giants. Flamini arrived in Milan on Sunday evening and the Italian press have reported he will put pen to paper on a four-year deal.</strong></p> Mon, 05 May 2008 23:36:31 +0800 www.sgforums.com:2497:316532:8064473 zocoss http://www.sgforums.com/forums/2497/topics/316532 <p>Does it means that Gattuso is going to be a devil soon?</p> Mon, 05 May 2008 23:16:10 +0800 www.sgforums.com:2497:316532:8064410 Maurince http://www.sgforums.com/forums/2497/topics/316532 <blockquote> <div class="quote_from">Originally posted by CannyOng:</div> <div class="quote_body"> <p>Arsenal will always a small club in the eyes of player unless they win one CL to become to &nbsp;the real big club..</p> <p>That is why Chelsea is so desperate to win CL... Forget one thing, chelsea got money. Asrenal got what? <img src= "/images/emoticons/classic/icon_lol.gif" alt="icon_lol.gif" /></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>uhh... the only balance sheet in the BPL that is showing a profit? <img src= "/images/emoticons/kde-3.5.8/KMess-Cartoon/teeth.png" alt= "teeth.png" /></p> Mon, 05 May 2008 21:59:31 +0800 www.sgforums.com:2497:316532:8064172 the Bear http://www.sgforums.com/forums/2497/topics/316532 <p>Arsenal will always a small club in the eyes of player unless they win one CL to become to &nbsp;the real big club..</p> <p>That is why Chelsea is so desperate to win CL... Forget one thing, chelsea got money. Asrenal got what? <img src= "/images/emoticons/classic/icon_lol.gif" alt="icon_lol.gif" /></p> Mon, 05 May 2008 21:57:54 +0800 www.sgforums.com:2497:316532:8064171 CannyOng http://www.sgforums.com/forums/2497/topics/316532 <p>But there are those that left and have done pretty well... Like Bentley, Diarra, A Cole... even Sidwell wasn't too bad&nbsp;had he stayed&nbsp;with Reading...</p> <p>Anyway, Overmars did well with Barce and Petit too... Ljundberg, Henry, Vieira all left at an age where they were heading downwards already... Btw, Vieira not too bad what... he will be receiving his second Italian Serie A medal very soon...</p> Mon, 05 May 2008 18:37:04 +0800 www.sgforums.com:2497:316532:8063479 zocoss http://www.sgforums.com/forums/2497/topics/316532 <p>omg flamini <img src= "/images/emoticons/classic/icon_surprised.gif" alt= "icon_surprised.gif" /><img src= "/images/emoticons/classic/icon_surprised.gif" alt= "icon_surprised.gif" /><img src= "/images/emoticons/classic/icon_surprised.gif" alt= "icon_surprised.gif" /><img src= "/images/emoticons/classic/icon_surprised.gif" alt= "icon_surprised.gif" /></p> Mon, 05 May 2008 17:59:07 +0800 www.sgforums.com:2497:316532:8063344 bryanw http://www.sgforums.com/forums/2497/topics/316532 <p>pires is doing well =)</p> Mon, 05 May 2008 17:46:15 +0800 www.sgforums.com:2497:316532:8063311 dinky1409 http://www.sgforums.com/forums/2497/topics/316532 <p>again, not necessarily...</p> <p>notice it's Wenger.. not the players..</p> <p>he gets them.. sometimes not very good, and turns them into something amazing.. and when they leave, they're back to "not that excellent"</p> <p>Overmars<br /> Petit<br /> Ljundberg<br /> Henry<br /> Vieira</p> <p>all went and became pretty unspectacular...</p> Mon, 05 May 2008 17:30:30 +0800 www.sgforums.com:2497:316532:8063281 the Bear http://www.sgforums.com/forums/2497/topics/316532 <p>why? he not happy at arsenal mehs? tsk! like this fabregas will surely be unhappy also since all de gd players are leaving..</p> Mon, 05 May 2008 17:18:52 +0800 www.sgforums.com:2497:316532:8063260 dinky1409 http://www.sgforums.com/forums/2497/topics/316532