---
title: "Henry – Thank god Flamini stayed"
canonical: "https://readarsenal.com/2015/12/15/henry-thank-god-flamini-stayed/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Adam Hamdani"
section: "Arsenal News"
published: "2015-12-15T21:36:12Z"
modified: "2015-12-15T21:36:12Z"
---

# Henry – Thank god Flamini stayed

Arsenal legend and Sky pundit Thierry Henry has praised midfielder Mathieu Flamini for his contribution this season.

The Frenchman was brought into the side after a bench role in the first third of the season, with Francis Coquelin damaging his knee ligaments against West Brom, leaving him on the sidelines until at least March.

[Speaking at a Q&A for *Sky Sports*](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/10101027/thierry-henry-expects-real-test-for-arsenal-against-manchester-city), Arsenal’s all-time top goalscorer expressed his delight at seeing Flamini thrive in the north London side’s midfield.

![Dan Mullan/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readarsenal.com/readarsenal/2015/12/500404272.jpg)

> *Flamini is doing well at the minute, imagine if Flamini left, and it looked like that was the plan at the beginning of the season.*
>
> *Thank god he stayed because look what happened to \[Santi\] Cazorla and what happen to Francis Coquelin.*

With the Gunners facing Manchester City on Monday on top of a packed fixture list over the next two weeks, Henry admitted that this will be the real test Arsenal need to face to prove their real title credentials.

![Michael Regan/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readarsenal.com/readarsenal/2015/12/5006364143.jpg)

> *The real test and what I want to see if how Arsenal cope with Man City, how they cope stopping them on the counter if they come and sit. Who knows?*
>
> *It will be a massive one for the Premier League and I just want to see how Arsenal respond to that one because I’m looking at the return fixtures and Arsenal have to go to Everton, Liverpool, Tottenham, United and City.*
>
> *They have all those fixtures so if you can get some points before against your rival for the title \[that is important\] – although of course, Leicester are top and so you have to mention them.*

Flamini has made just seven Premier League appearances this campaign, while featuring twice in the UEFA Champions League – including in Greece against Olympiacos, with Arsenal winning by three goals to nil in emphatic fashion.