Why Mathieu Flamini Is Under Most Pressure for Arsenal After Middlesbrough Game

Although Arsenal enjoyed a comfortable win over Middlesbrough in the FA Cup, it was still an uncomfortable afternoon for Mathieu Flamini.

Unfortunately for the Frenchman, he is playing under constant pressure at present. After being scapegoated by many Arsenal fans for the team’s poor form in the first half of the campaign, his every appearance on the field has become an attempt to regain their trust.

His tumble out of the first-team picture has been remarkably swift. Flamini ended 2014 with a run of eight consecutive starts. In 2015, he has started just two of Arsenal’s nine games—both in the FA Cup.

The emergence of Francis Coquelin has been a huge factor in that change. Since coming into the side, Coquelin has shown an urgency and discipline that Flamini’s performances have lacked. His displays have allowed him to leapfrog the more senior Frenchman in the pecking order, and he’s rightfully been awarded a long-term contract in recognition of his form. 

Flamini wasn’t particularly poor against Middlesbrough. In fact, there were some positive elements to his performance: He was as committed as ever in the challenge and won a surprising number of headers. 

Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

However, commitment can only take you so far. It was clear there were some areas of his display that frustrated the Arsenal supporters and manager alike. Several times during the first half, Arsene Wenger leapt from his seat to hurriedly issue tactical instructions to the wayward Flamini.

The positional indiscipline and tactical naivety that undermined his performances earlier this season are still worryingly present. Fortunately, Middlesbrough showed neither the ambition nor the ability to take advantage.

Flamini’s performance was fairly average, but he needed something special to stand a chance of reclaiming a regular place. With Mikel Arteta still in the early stages of his rehabilitation, Flamini’s versatility and defensive mindset mean he is almost guaranteed a place in the matchday squad. However, he looks destined to play second fiddle to Coquelin between now and May.

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Beyond that, it remains to be seen what the future holds for Flamini. His contractual situation at Arsenal is unclear—when he rejoined the club in 2013, there were conflicting reports as to whether his deal was for two or three years.

Regardless of whether Flamini’s contract expires this summer, he could well find himself moving on from Arsenal. Coquelin has the security of a new deal, and rumours, perpetuated by reports such as this from Jack Wilson in the Daily Star, suggest that Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin is a major target. With Arteta also in contention for a place in next year’s squad, Flamini could find himself being squeezed out.

With opportunities to impress increasingly hard to come by, Flamini seems to be fighting a losing battle for his Arsenal future.

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and is following the club from a London base throughout the 2014-15 season. Follow him on Twitter here.