Published: 12 September, 2013
by STEVE BARNETT

THEY say that the best things in life come free and, if you believe Mathieu Flamini, Arsenal have signed a better player the second time around.

The industrious midfielder joked that he is like a fine wine and only “getting better with age” after returning to north London in the summer on a free transfer.

The 29-year-old swapped the Premier League for Serie A five years ago when he joined AC Milan in a move that he says has helped him “evolve” as a player.

Having reportedly turned down a two-year extension with the Italian club to return to the Emirates Stadium, Flamini made an instant impact the second time around when he came off the bench to help the Gunners seal a 1-0 victory over rivals Tottenham.

“My fitness levels are still very good,” Flamini told Arsenal Player.

“After what fitness coach Tony Colbert told me, after some speed tests, I am quicker than I was five years ago.

“It was funny because we made a joke that it was like wine, getting better with age. I still feel very fresh.

“I would say I evolved in Italy,” he went on.

“I’m 29 now, I played a lot of games in Italy and I had the chance to discover a new championship like the Italian league, based on a lot of tactical aspects because there is not a lot of space so I think it made my game evolve.

“I think I’m much better tactically because being in Italy for five years you learn a lot of tactical things in training, what you know is your position on the pitch. Afterwards with your age you read the game better so for your position this is important.

“Serie A is much more tactical than the English league. The English league is much quicker and physical and the intensity is very high from the beginning to the end.

“In Italy there is less space and that’s why you don’t have as many goals as you do in England.”