Player Ratings 2013/14 - Part Three: Central Midfielders
Mathieu FLAMINI - 20
30 years old - 25+11 apps / 2 goals (PL) / 0 assists
After initially coming back to the club to train as while a free agent, Flamini impressed enough to earn himself a second stint at Arsenal. It was a transfer that didn’t exactly capture the imagination, especially with more illustrious names being banded about. But it proved a shrewd move by Wenger and Flamini has played an important role as back up to Mikel Arteta in the deep lying role and also alongside him when midfield options were scarce. He’s won dubious fans over with his combative performances and barking orders at team mates and although his effectiveness waned as the season progressed, he’s been a valuable squad member.
Season Rating - 6/10
Worst Moment - Southampton 2-2 Arsenal (PL) - Flamini’s ridiculous two footed lunge (not his first of the season), got him sent off in a game we were already struggling in and ruined our chance of winning and could have even seen us lose.
Best Moment - Arsenal 1-1 Man City (PL) - Scored a well taken and vital equaliser that prevented us from slumping to a damaging defeat.
World Cup? - No, with options like Pogba, Cabaye and Matuidi in the way, Flamini was never likely to be on the world cup plane.
Will he stay? - I’m fairly sure he will, but he won’t be more than a useful squad player, which might mean he departs next summer.
THE OTHERS
There are a couple of others who have featured for the first team this season, but haven’t done enough to warrant a full review:
24. Abou DIABY - 28 years old - 0+1 apps (PL)
Poor Abou. Injured for almost the entire season again, he just about got fit in time to play a few minutes in our last game against Norwich. It’s now the second season he’s had in which he’s failed to start a single game and at the age of 28, time is running out for him. It’s terrible that such a promising player has had his career so horribly disrupted, but sadly, Diaby doesn’t have much of a future with Arsenal unless his injuries magically stop, which isn’t going to happen.
29. Kim KALLSTROM - 31 years old - 1+3 apps (1+2 PL / 0+1 FA Cup)
A surprising addition at the end of the January transfer window, Kallstrom was loaned in to cover for injuries. He made one solitary start, playing well against West Ham, as well as substitute appearances against Swansea and West Brom in the Premier League and one in the FA Cup Semi Final. He seemed a decent enough player and will be remembered for sticking away an important penalty in the shootout against Wigan, but I doubt we’ll see him in an Arsenal shirt again.
58. Gideon ZELALEM - 17 years old - 0+1 apps (FA Cup)
One of the most exciting academy players we’ve had in a while, Zelalem impressed in pre-season and was named in the first team squad for the 13/14 season. He came off the bench against Coventry and looked comfortable surrounded by much more senior players and looks to have the potential to be a seriously good player.
A slight change of plan as I’ve realised it would be too difficult to do all the midfielders in one review. There’s too many and I have too much to say on each of them! What will happen now is that the attacking midfielders (Özil, Cazorla, Rosicky etc.) will now be in the Attackers review, which will in turn be split into two halves. Look out for part one, which will be out soon, with part two not far behind!
Check out the defenders and goalkeepers reviews too.
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