Arsenal tried to push veteran French midfielder Mathieu Flamini out of the door this summer, it has been claimed.
The 31-year-old made the matchday squad just once this season before last night’s heroics at White Hart Lane and is more or less a fringe player at Arsenal this season.
Flamini started and scored a brace against Tottenham in the third round of the League Cup and helped the Gunners to move forward in the competition.
However, he could have been easily left the Gunners this summer as according to French sports daily L’Equipe, Arsenal were keen to offload the midfielder in the transfer window.
It has been suggested that Arsenal made it clear to the Frenchman that he was not part of their plans for the season and was asked to find a new club.
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However, Flamini was determined to fight for his place at the Emirates and resisted overtures from clubs such as Galatasaray in the summer to continue at Arsenal.
The 31-year-old is keen to prove his value to Arsene Wenger and see out his contract with the Gunners.
Flamini has gone from a non-playing outcast to the club's joint top scorer, all in one night’s work.
His current deal with the club expires at the end of this season.
