http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2400151/Arsenal-set-sign-Mathieu-Flamini-free-transfer.htmlWenger finally makes a signing... with Flamini set to return to Arsenal on a free transfer!Arsene Wenger’s intensive 12-day recruitment drive appears set to start with a contract for Mathieu Flamini, five years after he quit Arsenal for AC Milan.
The Italian club released the 29-year-old midfielder at the end of the season and he has been training with Wenger’s squad for the last two weeks.
The Arsenal manager has been impressed enough with his condition to offer him a contract and Flamini has agreed to a return despite considerable interest from other clubs.
It will be the second signing of the summer for Wenger – both free transfers - and the fourth old-boy he has re-signed, having brought Sol Campbell, Jens Lehmann and Thierry Henry (twice) back to the Emirates.
If the Flamini deal can be sped through by midday today(FRI) he will be available for tomorrow’s(SAT) at Fulham. Any later and he could return for the derby against Tottenham.
The French midfielder originally left the Emirates on a Bosman-style free transfer in 2008 after playing 40 times in a campaign when Arsenal finished third.
He went on to win the Italian title with Milan but has suffered fitness issues, including a serious knee injury which ruled him out of the entire 2011-12 season.
Wenger will hope his return adds depth, versatility and experience to a squad which has looked alarmingly thin in some areas after a few injuries and a summer exodus of fringe players.
Midfielders Mikel Arteta, Abou Diaby and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are all injured but there was a boost for Arsenal from Laurent Koscielny who cut his head during Wednesday’s 3-0 against Fenerbahce in Turkey.
Koscielny was able to travel back with the team after the game and has been told there is no damage other than a deep wound which has been stitched.
He is suspended from tomorrow’s(SAT) game at Fulham after his red card against Aston Villa last week and may not be risked in the return against Fenerbahce, since the tie is almost won.
Koscielny should be back against Spurs in the North London derby and Bacary Sagna is expected to deputise in central defence, as he did for an hour in Istanbul.
The convincing win in the first leg of the Champions League play-off tie boosted spirits at the Emirates and Wenger declared afterwards that he expected a bust final 12 days in the transfer market.
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