I think it is fair to say that no Arsenal fan would have thought that a couple of months into the season, Gilberto would be on the bench with his place in the team having been taken Mathieu Flamini.


Unsurprisingly, this has led to the Gilbster stating his unhappiness with the situation and Flamini being delighted at finally being given a regular slot in his favoured position. Today I want to look at this conundrum and pose the following question: Is Arsene Wenger right to be picking Mathieu over Gilberto?

There is little doubt that Flamini has played brilliantly so far this season, but I must be honest and admit that I have been thoroughly surprised by his performances. Having been involved in 31 games last season, predominantly as a last-minute substitute, I was not surprised when I read he might leave the club over the summer.

'It really is great to see an attack-minded defensive midfielder like Flamini who does not vacate his duties to the back line'


Of course, we have seen Mathieu play for the club quite a few times before. He did fantastically well in 2005-6 as a stand-in left-back, but other than that we had not seen much of the young Frenchman and particularly not in a central midfield role. It was not all that surprising when Flamini started the first game of the season alongside Cesc Fabregas. What with Abou Diaby and Denilson both being injured and Gilberto on international duty, I was pretty sure that  Wenger fielded Flamini as he did not have any other suitable candidates.

I also expected the experiment to have little impact on the first team in the long-term. How wrong I was. I'm not alone - even Mathieu can't believe it (apologies for alluding to a Daily Mail article, I'll rinse my mouth out now). He has been the type of combative, hard-working defensive midfielder for which every team craves, but he is also the catalyst for quite a few of our attacks.

I believe this is why he is managing to keep his place. Mathieu is a player who allows Cesc to move slightly further up the field (perhaps this is why he is now scoring so many goals) and pings the ball out to our wide players with ease. All of this whilst protecting our back four with aplomb. It really is great to see an attack-minded defensive midfielder who does not vacate his duties to the back line. But what of former captain-elect Gilberto?

It has been a very difficult start to the season for the Brazilian. He played in nearly every game for the Gunners last season, many of them as stand-in captain for Thierry Henry, and looked destined to be given the captaincy when the legend left over the summer. That did not happen as we well know, and whilst I am a massive fan of William Gallas I do question whether it was the right decision to give the captaincy to a player who questioned everything about the club before the season began.

It is hardly surprising that Gilberto was slightly p**sed off about the decision, but he is likely to be more unhappy at having been dropped to the bench. I'm sure he is regretting his trip to play for Brazil now anyway, as it is unlikely that Flamini would be playing right now had Gilbs been with us from the start of the season. Anyway, he is a wonderful defensive player, and provides the back four with a huge rock with which the opposition have to get through first if they are to challenge the defence. He is also a bloody good penalty taker.

I have only really noticed it since Flamini came into the side, but if I were to have one slight criticism it would be that the Brazilian does not do enough with the ball once he has won it. I believe he will get his chance to reclaim his place later in the season. Indeed, Gilberto has admitted that Flamini deserves to be in the side, and that whilst he is frustrated he will work hard to get back into the team. If only all footballers had as good an attitude as his.

So is Arsene right to persist with Flamini despite the fact that Gilberto has been one of our most consistent performers over the years? I believe so. Flamini has been very patient at the club and has always played out of position for the team on many occasions. He might have only got his chance because Gilbs was away on international duty, but he has seized the opportunity with both hands and as long as he continues to play with the finesse and dedication he has so far this season then he deserves to keep his place.

If we are in the hunt for the title towards the end of the season and have to go up and play a sh*te Newcastle side who play long ball, then Gilberto might be the man to start. But for now, allez Mathieu! Cheesy, but appropriate.

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Gunners fans, who would you rather have as first choice, the Brazilian or Frenchman? Post a comment below or submit an article to Sportingo.