Flamini heads the queue for Emirates exit

AS Jens Lehmann embarked on one last farewell lap of the Emirates Stadium, several of his team-mates slipped more quietly into the shadows to signal the start of a summer revolution at Arsenal.

The German goalkeeper is set to be the most senior but not the most notable departure from north London over the coming weeks, with Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani, confirming last night that Mathieu Flamini, the midfielder, was on the verge of completing a free transfer to the Serie A club. The Frenchman will sign a four-year contract today, subject to a medical.

Just two hours earlier, Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager, had hinted Flamini’s exit was looming.

“Frankly I don’t know what will happen with Flamini,” he said. “He has an offer on the table that is valid until Monday. I’m not confident and I’m not worried. We’ve done what we had to do and now it’s up to him.”

The departure of Flamini — one of Arsenal’s best players this season — is a significant body blow to Wenger, who will now have to break the habit of a lifetime and spend big to find a replacement of equivalent quality.

Doubts also remain over the future of Alexander Hleb, the Belarus midfielder who is being courted by Internazionale.

Flamini, who had repeatedly stalled on signing a new contract, and Hleb did not appear yesterday due to injury and suspension respectively and their absence contributed to the feeling that an era was ending in north London.

Wenger confirmed he sent on Lehmann for the final 25 minutes to allow the Germany goalkeeper one last appearance before his imminent departure.

Lehmann will leave on a free transfer after a campaign spent grumbling over his lack of first team opportunities. Wenger may have been irritated by Lehmann’s outbursts but he never forgot his debt to the man who was a mostly solid presence for five years.

The German barely had a save to make here but was determined to savour his final moments as a Gunner. He was the last player to depart, to a standing ovation, after Arsenal’s end of season lap of honour, while Gilberto — also expected to leave after growing disillusioned with a lack of first team action — was also warmly recognised.

“It was a farewell for Jens, yes,” Wenger said. “I wanted the fans to say goodbye to him because of what he’s done for us. He’s not an easy character but you take that. He’s been fully committed and that’s easy to forget sometimes.

“I would like Gilberto to stay but I will sit down with him and talk about it.”

While Wenger contemplates the changes ahead, his Everton counterpart David Moyes faces one more nervous 90 minutes as the Toffees try to secure another season of European competition.

With 13 minutes left to play at the Emirates, Everton were on course to claim the point they needed to secure fifth place and guarantee a UEFA Cup place.

But Nicklas Bendtner’s powerful header left them to sweat for another week. Now the Toffees have to avoid defeat at home to Newcastle next Sunday to ensure they finish above Aston Villa, who remain three points behind Moyes’s side.

In truth they deserved a draw and should finish the job against a Newcastle team with nothing to play.

Moyes certainly felt they deserved better and has no fears about his players’ ability to get that elusive point.

“I thought we were unfortunate. I’m disappointed we didn’t get a point we need to secure UEFA Cup football. We did enough to get it,” he said.

“But three points ahead with a game to go is a position I’m happy to be in. I’m confident the players can do it. I’ve got no worries about their attitude next week.”

Moyes’s decision to send out a 4-5-1 formation with Andy Johnson the sole striker was perhaps too cautious given Arsenal were in end-of-season mode.

Everton’s best chances came in the first half. Manuel Fernandes cleverly worked space to send Johnson scampering clear of Gael Clichy, with Lukasz Fabianksi forced to save with his feet.

They went even closer when Joleon Lescott met Fernandes’s corner with a downward header that Denilson alertly hooked off the line.

But the visitors showed less attacking intent after half-time and were made to pay in the 77th minute.

Bendtner’s pass sent Armand Traore away down the left and the young full-back returned the favour with a perfectly-flighted cross. Bendtner thrives on such offerings and rose above Phil Jagielka to power his header past Howard.

ARSENAL (4-4-2): Fabianski 6 (Lehmann 69 mins, 5), Toure 5 (Traore 69 mins, 5), Gallas 6, Song 4, Clichy 6, Eboue 5, Gilberto 5, Denilson 5, Walcott 6, Bendtner 6, Adebayor 6 (Senderos, 88, 5).

Subs Not Used: Djourou, Gibbs.

EVERTON (4-5-1): Howard 6, Hibbert 5, Yobo 6, Jagielka 5, Lescott 6, Fernandes 6 (Baines 90, 5), Carsley 6 (Anichebe 82, 5), Neville 5, Osman 5, Pienaar 5, Johnson 5 (Yakubu 82, 5.

Subs Not Used: Wessells, Rodwell.

REFEREE: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire) 6: Neither side gave Wiley a moment’s concern in a match played at pre-season friendly pace for long periods. How he must wish every match could be so incident free.

MATCH RATING: ** Everton played for a draw and were punished for their caution. This was an Arsenal team there for the taking but David Moyes’s tactics left the Toffees facing a nervous wait to finish in the top five.