Patience paying off for ‘hyperactive’ Flamini

PATIENCE is not usually a virtue in a man described as “hyperactive” by team-mates, but Mathieu Flamini’s willingness to bide his time at Arsenal is now reaping spectacular rewards.

The Frenchman cut a largely disenchanted figure in his first three seasons with the Londoners, his opportunities curtailed by the impressive form of Gilberto Silva and Cesc Fabregas. Flamini held talks over his future with Arsene Wenger last summer and the manager had to be at his smooth-talking best to persuade the midfielder to stay.

It has proved one of Wenger’s biggest successes. Flamini took advantage of Gilberto’s absence due to international commitments at the start of the season to cement his place in Wenger’s line-up and is now irreplaceable. His partnership with Fabregas has blossomed into one of the Premier League’s most formidable and he continues to grow in stature almost by the week.