Arsenal Football Club News

• Nickname:Gunners
• Founded:1886
• Manager:Arsene Wenger

• Ground:Emirates
• Capacity:60,432

Wenger positive over Flamini

21 Mar 2008 - 13:46:43

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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is confident that Mathieu Flamini is 'on course' to agree a new contract with the Gunners.

The France midfielder has just three months remaining on his existing deal but is keen to remain at the Emirates Stadium after finally becoming a first-team regular this season.

The 24-year-old had been a perennial substitute before starting in the majority of his 43 appearances to date this season.

"We are on course there, negotiations are going well and we hope to sort that out in April," Wenger told Arsenal TV Online.

Meanwhile, Wenger claims it is too early to confirm whether unsettled midfielder Gilberto Silva will leave at the end of the season.

The Brazil international has lost his starting place to Flamini this season and has hinted on several occasions that his six-year stay with the Gunners is coming towards an end.

"It's too early to say that (he will leave), it is more down to Gilberto's desire because at the moment he does not play," claimed Wenger.

"We will sit down together, we are adults. Gilberto is a very strong man with a big personality and he will know what he wants to do at the end of the season.

"I'm happy if he stays but we'll sort it out at the end of the season."