Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is expecting a
decision on Mathieu Flamini's future at the club by
Saturday. The 24-year-old French midfielder is out
of contract at the end of the season and Juventus are believed to
be keen on signing the player.
Wenger expected to find out what the former Marseille man was
planning to do next by the end of April, but said on Friday: "The
latest is that we are at the end of April but it is still not
sorted out. "Certainly we should get an answer today or
tomorrow."
Asked what he thought Flamini's decision would be, Wenger told
Arsenal TV Online: "I'm always positive because I believe the link
he has with the club will be stronger than all the other different
attractions that he can have. "I know that if it's down to football
then he will stay here. If it's down to football or financial
resources he might not stay here.
"He is free to choose a different direction, everybody is free
out of contract and you have to respect that." Wenger is also
sticking to his guns on Alexander Hleb, and insisted he has yet to
be contacted by any club despite Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini
registering an interest in the player.
The Frenchman also admitted his surprise at the news that Keith
Edelman was leaving his post as managing director to seek a "fresh
challenge". "We didn't expect that and I don't know why (he is
leaving)," Wenger added.
"Does he go somewhere else or has he chosen a different
direction? You have to respect that. "He has done well in a very
difficult period and everybody is conscious of that." Wenger
believed the success of Manchester United and Chelsea in reaching
the Champions League final underlined the strength of the Premier
League and joked: "It's an FA Cup final abroad and so that could be
the 39th game that everybody looks for."
