What Arsene Wenger told Arsenal’s midfield hero when offering him summer transfer

ARSENE WENGER has revealed he offered Mathieu Flamini the exit door this summer - but is glad the midfielder stayed on at Arsenal.

Mathieu FlaminiGETTY

Mathieu Flamini scored twice as Arsenal beat Tottenham 2-1 in the League Cup on Wednesday

Flaming, 31, scored a match-winning double in on Wednesday night - his first appearance of the season.

The Frenchman rejoined Arsenal from Milan in 2013 but last season saw his place taken by compatriot Francis Coquelin.

Coquelin, 24, started all of Arsenal’s game before suffering a knee injury in their 2-0 loss at Chelsea last weekend.

But manager Wenger refused to commit to playing Flamini in the defensive midfielder’s place, insisting he has not made his team selection ahead of their league .

“Mathieu Flamini has been frustrated with not playing enough games,” Wenger said.

“He’s shown what a character and a winner is about, to go out there and shown that frustration in a positive way.

“I told him at the start if the season he might not get the games but if you decide to stay and fight I’m happy with that - and that’s what he decided to do. He does it in a strong way.”

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On Coquelin’s injury, Wenger added: “He is improving well but he is not available for tomorrow. It’s too short. He might start to practice tomorrow.

“He will have a scan today but it looks quite positive. It’s a little bone bruised in the knee.”

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