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Mathieu Flamini

MATHIEU Flamini claims it was Arsenal's fault that he quit for AC Milian this summer.

The French international, hints that had the Gunners moved quicker to offer him a new contract then he may have stayed with the club.

Flamini, 24, told The Sun: "If Arsenal had offered me a contract last summer I would still be their player now.

"Last July I told Arsenal I wanted to extend my contract so, of course, I would have signed if they had offered me a deal . . . but they didn't.

"They said they wanted me to prove myself first.

"It was difficult for me at the beginning. I had to see it as a challenge but I won't lie, it was not easy. You have to be mentally very strong to cope.

"If I had a serious injury my future would have been in question as I was out of contract. But, touch wood, I don't want to think about these things and, thankfully, I played well and I can be proud of what I achieved."

Arsenal's failure to move quickly, alerted a string of top clubs throughout Europe to Flamini's situation, although he claims he was still determined to stay in London.

He added: "We started to speak in December but I knew it was a huge decision. At that time we were playing every three days. I didn't want to think too much about that because I wanted to focus on my performances.

"It was difficult for me as I started to have offers from big clubs."

8:37am Saturday 17th May 2008

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