Flamini excited about Milan move

Arsenal’s AC Milan-bound midfielder Mathieu Flamini cannot wait to embark on his new adventure in Serie A – a league he believes is at the forefront of world football.

The 24-year-old midfielder has joined the Rossoneri on a free transfer from the Gunners, and made the move before AC Milan knew if they would be playing in the Champions League next season.

Defeat to Napoli in the penultimate round of Serie A action saw Milan miss out on a top-four finish, but even though he will not be playing in Europe’s premier club competition, Flamini is looking forward to next season nonetheless.

“I cannot wait to fight for the Scudetto,” he said in 'La Gazzetta dello Sport'.

“I always knew that Milan would be my first choice if I were to leave Arsenal and I did not do it for the money.

“I had plenty of offers and I chose Milan because it is a dream of every footballer to play for them.

“Playing in the UEFA Cup does not matter because, knowing Milan, it is only an exception. Milan have won more honours than any other club in the world.”

Although he said leaving the Gunners “was not easy”, Flamini admitted he was happy to leave behind the British media.

He said: “I like to eat out and go to the cinema, so if you tell me that the newspapers in Italy are not interested in the player’s private lives, then that is a huge weight lifted.

“Life is good in England except for the paparazzi chasing the players with their new girlfriends, which is a nightmare.”

On the field, Flamini does not believe moving to Serie A is a step down from the Premier League.

Even if Liverpool and Arsenal were too hot for Internazionale and Milan in the Champions League this season, Flamini believes parity is being restored.

“Serie A is getting back to the top,” he said.

“The problems are water under the bridge and a lot of big players will now move to Italy.”

Many are being linked with the Rossoneri, who are preparing a mass overhaul after a disappointing season.

Emanuel Adebayor and Didier Drogba are two names constantly linked with the defending World Club Cup champions, and Flamini would welcome them with open arms.

“If I had the money, I would take both of them,” he continued.

“They are both incredible attackers and I would also be happy if Sheva (Andrei Shevchenko) returns because things may have not gone well for him in England, but he remains a champion.”