Saying Goodbye to Arsenal Players this Sunday!
Arsenal play their final game of the season this Sunday against relegated Aston Villa at home. In a game that Arsenal should definitely win (not jinxing it), it will be a chance to say goodbye to some of Arsenal’s current long serving players.
Manager Arsene Wenger has said that we could be saying goodbye to three Arsenal stars on Sunday with Arteta, Rosicky and Flamini all likely to leave the club. Wenger stated in a press conference: “Mikel Arteta has been a great leader. All these players we have a decision to make: do they continue as a player or become a coach?
“Tomas Rosicky has been here for 10 years, Flamini has been a leader on and off the pitch. One or two of them could play on Sunday.”
Club captain Mikel Arteta could feature for the Gunners in which will see Arsenal fans say goodbye for his excellent contributions over the last few years. Arteta’s earlier years at the club brought some very good memories, but recently fans have not seen much of the midfielder. A £10 million buy from Everton saw Arteta become a pivotal player in our midfield and although he may not seem like the calibre of player we would like to attract now, back in 2011, he was celebrated as being a player who would add something special to our midfield. Arteta has gone on to make over 100 Premier League appearances for the Gunners and has been our club captain since Thomas Vermaelen left for Barcelona. Although Arteta has spent a lot of his time injured or not in the squad, especially these last two seasons, his presence has been ever consistent off the pitch, as he concentrates on pairing his coaching badges with his current club captaincy duties. There have been rumours Arteta may be off to Manchester City as a coach, and apparently Tottenham are keen as well, whilst Arsenal do not seem too concerned on taking Arteta on as a coach. This surprises me but I guess we will have to see where our captain ends up next season.
Tomas Rosicky signed for the Gunners from Dortmund back in 2006 and looked to be a promising creative player for the club. Injuries have largely ruined in the majority of his time in North London, however we have seen some magical moments under our ‘Little Mozart’. Rosicky is due the utmost support for his time at the club and deserves a good send off if we get the chance to see him play this Sunday.
Flamini is a character who although may not always be in favour of the fans, is a loyal servant to the club and has put his heart on the line for Arsenal on more than one occasion. Prone to making errors and picking up a booking, Flamini can tear the hair out of Arsenal fans on occasion, but his commitment and passion for Arsenal football club needs to be respected and I’m sure Wenger will give him a run out on Sunday.
As Wenger stated all three players are expected to leave the club this summer as their contracts run out. One or two may get to play for the Arsenal one final time this Sunday and my guesses could be Flamini and Rosicky. Arteta may not be fit enough to captain the side but I’m sure he will be on the pitch at the end with the rest of the boys.
AH