The Frenchman has won over the fans and management this season
with some fantastic workman-like performances in the centre of
midfield, keeping Brasilian international Gilberto Silva and French
international Lassana Diarra on the sidelines.
The performances have earned him the nickname 'Gattuso', in honour
of Milan's world class midfield pitbull; Flamini has shrugged aside
the comparisons.
"It was the African players who started it because, you know, I
never give up," he explained.
"I don't think [it's a fair reflection]. It's true they call me it
and he's a great player. I don't want sound disrespectful to the
guy because he's amazing but I think I'm a different player to him.
I'm more attacking. We try and play a little more football. And,
anyway, I want to make my own name in the football world."
Two players he felt he was more in the mould of, however, were
Premier League stars themselves.
"Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane," he declared. "Amazing. They did so
well in this league. I want to become a player like they were. They
were fighters, they were great footballers, they made the
difference at their clubs, they had great spirit, great experience
- and they led their teams."
Flamini has also explained he sees himself as a vocal presence on
the field, as well as the physical.
"I like to speak on the pitch," he explained. "What is good in our
team is that we have really good communication. Everyone is taking
responsibility and talking to each other, making things
better.
"I'm trying to give a little bit more physical presence in
midfield. Cesc (Fabregas) is a little bit more offensive so I have
to police the midfield. I have to protect my defence, stay in the
middle and focus on stopping their attacks. It's very important
because the midfield is the heart of the team.
"In England, every week, every team is fighting. It's important to
win the fight first and then after that to play. Because if you
don't win the fight you cannot play. The team understands that.
Everyone knows the fight comes first and then we play.
"When you are playing a team like Blackburn, from the start they
want a physical game. You need to react. What is most important is
that we are playing for Arsenal. We all want to play football. It's
a pleasure to play the way we play. But we have to be at the front
of the physical battle because we have proved from the start of the
season that if we have to fight, we fight."
