Gooner Talk

AC Milan midfielder Mathieu Flamini has denied falling out with Arsène Wenger after his departure from the club in July and also believes that he wasn’t ungrateful despite leaving on a free transfer to the Italian giants.

The France international, whose deal at the Emirates ran out this summer, passed a medical and agreed terms to stay at the San Siro until 2012.

After a magnificent Champions League performance ironically against AC Milan last season, the 24-year-old drew comparisons with hard-tackling midfielder Gennaro Gattuso.

Speaking to French daily Journal Du Dimanche, Flamini said:

“I’m not a player ungrateful. I have always respected my contracts. I wanted a new challenge. The train passes once and I did not want to stay ‘dockside’. In fact I do not regret it. There is no problem with Arsène Wenger. I know what I owe”

Milan president Adriano Galliani presented newly-signed Premier League pair Andrei Shevchenko and Gunners’ defender Philippe Senderos to the Italian press earlier today, with the Swiss international announcing his happiness at the season-long loan move.

“I am very happy to be here and happy to be given this chance by the club, I want to repay this trust on the pitch. Arsenal are a great team, but Milan are the best team in the world.

My first impression is very good, this is a great club and I want to stay here a long time. Compared to the English league, the players in Italy work harder.

The English league is more physical while the Italian one is more tactical, and personally I have to work hard to reach this level.” Senderos told Milan’s official site.

Philippe was unavailable for Milan’s 2-1 loss to Bologna due to injury, but Mathieu Flamini did start and put in an energetic display as the Italians lost early ground on close rivals Inter.

Arsenal play away to fellow Londoners Fulham in Saturday’s Premiership derby at the Craven Cottage

The Gunners managed to win on the opening weekend to newcomers West Brom, while the Cottagers had started their campaign with a loss against another newly-promoted side – Hull City.

The signing of MikaeL Silvestre has gone a long way to assuage fears about a lack of experience in within the squad, and the Frenchman could well shake off a muscular problem to make his debut following the most surprising of transfers from Manchester United.

Fulham Team News

Fulham memorably beat Arsenal at Craven Cottage in November 2006 but have failed to secure a single victory in their 14 London derbies since that game.

Roy Hodgson’s hopes of springing a shock have also been hit by the news that £10 million striker Andy Johnson is still expected to be sidelined for up to three weeks.

Ex-Reading star Seol Ki-Hyeon will continue his strike partnership alongside former Hammer Bobby Zamora.

Predicted Starting XI

Schwarzer
Pantsil – Hangeland – Hughes – Konchesky
Bullard – Murphy – Davies – Gera
Ki-Hyeon – Zamora

Arsenal Team News

Like we revealed to you on Monday, Arsene Wenger has encouraging news on Samir Nasri, who had pulled out of France’s midweek friendly due to an injury problem. The 21-year-old winger, who had scored the match-winner against the Baggies on his debut, has recovered from a thigh problem.

Alex Song is back from Olympics duty with Cameroon while Cesc Fabregas is several days away from full fitness.

Cesc Fabregas (hamstring), Abou Diaby (thigh), Philippe Senderos (hamstring), Amaury Bischoff (groin), Tomas Rosicky (hamstring) and striker Eduardo (leg) remain sidelined.

Predicted Starting XI

Almunia
Sagna – Gallas – Toure – Clichy
Eboue – Denilson – Song – Nasri
Adebayor – van Persie

Match Prediction: Fulham 0-2 Arsenal

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