Why Mathieu Flamini's Arsenal Glory May Be Short-Lived

It’s fair to say that Mathieu Flamini qualifies as an unlikely hero.

When the teams for the Capital One Cup clash between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur were announced, the 31-year-old’s presence in the starting XI would have prompted more exasperation than excitement among Gunners fans.

Most were surprised to still see him at the club. Until the match at White Hart Lane, Flamini had not kicked a ball in first-team action this season.

Eyebrows were raised when he remained at Arsenal beyond the transfer deadline—the decision to stay was largely seen as a cynical move by a player who tends to favour lucrative Bosman deals. 

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With Arsenal desperately needing a positive result to end a run of two consecutive defeats, Arsene Wenger’s decision to rotate so heavily came as something of a surprise. This did not seem an appropriate time to be handing Flamini a first start of the season.

However, the French midfielder responded with arguably the most memorable performance of his career.

Installed alongside fellow veteran Mikel Arteta, Flamini was liberated by returning to the box-to-box role that gave him his breakout campaign in 2007/08. With licence to get forward and join the attack, the former Marseille and AC Milan man ended the game as Arsenal’s match-winner with two goals.

The first strike showed surprising predatory instinct. When Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain shot from distance, it was Flamini who followed up to lift the rebound over Michel Vorm and into the roof of the net. 

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With his confidence boosted by his first goal, the second was a real stunner. With a high ball dropping out of the sky, Flamini struck a superb volley that left Vorm with no chance.

Both goals were met with fist-pumping, chest-thumping celebrations. Afterward, Flamini insisted to the club website the strikes were dedicated to the supporters: "The two goals were for [the fans]. They’ve always supported me, they’ve all been behind me and they’ve played a big role in my career. It was important for me to celebrate with them and nobody else."

Wenger was delighted to see Flamini get his moment, telling the club’s official website:

"

I made him come to Arsenal, I made him come back, because I think he is a winner. He is a guy who always wants to help the team to win and that’s why I’m very pleased for him.

It was a fantastic goal. I saw when the ball was in the air that he had decided he would take a chance. He took it well and of course it was a great goal.

"

However, while it’s wonderful Flamini enjoyed a night of widespread recognition, it would be naive to think this will prompt a renaissance in his Arsenal career.

His path to regular first-team football is blocked by the likes of Francis Coquelin, Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey. The reality is Flamini is probably sixth in the queue for one of the two deeper midfield spots.

Even with Jack Wilshere and Coquelin sidelined, his chances of being called upon for a Premier League or Champions League match remain slim. 

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Coquelin in particular represents a significant upgrade on Flamini. He is stronger in the challenge and more technically accomplished on the ball. Flamini is a useful squad member, but only a serious injury crisis will make him relevant to Arsenal's ambitions again.

According to Transfermarkt, Flamini’s contract expires at the end of the season. It is almost impossible to conceive it being renewed.

His derby heroics may ultimately be regarded as a fabulous footnote in the final throes of his Arsenal career.

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and is following the club from a London base throughout 2015/16. Follow him on Twitter here.