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Flamini flashback as Bayern await

Mathieu Flamini has likened the strength and spirit of the current Arsenal squad to the club's last trophy-winning side of nearly nine years ago.

 

Few would have foreseen the drought that has followed the FA Cup final penalty shoot-out victory over Manchester United in May 2005.

It was the fourth FA Cup success of manager Arsene Wenger's reign, complementing the three Premier League titles also collected following his arrival in 1996.

While the second half of the Frenchman's stint in charge has been less fruitful than the first nine years, Arsenal's fortunes finally look to be on the up.

They are just a point behind Premier League leaders Chelsea with 12 matches remaining, and set up an FA Cup quarter-final with Everton after overcoming Liverpool 2-1 on Sunday with a performance that led Flamini to liken the current playing pool to the victorious side of 2005.

"What I will say about this season is that I see a great commitment, I see everyone working very hard on the pitch and helping each other," said the midfielder, who played for the club between 2004 and 2008, before returning last summer for a second spell.

"I think it is what we had when I was here and we won the FA Cup because against Liverpool it was a difficult game, from the first to the last minute everyone worked very hard, even the players playing up front.
"We asked them to defend and to help the team and they did it very well, which is very important for us. It was important to show some character on the pitch, some solidarity."

Not only are Arsenal fighting for success on the domestic front, but they also remain in the hunt for continental glory.

Having navigated their way through a tough Champions League group, the north Londoners now face the unenviable task of overcoming reigning champions Bayern Munich in the last 16.

The Bundesliga giants eliminated the Gunners at the same stage last term, but midfielder Flamini believes this season they can secure a shock and progress.

"We know it won't be an easy game because Bayern are a very strong team, but we are Arsenal, we have big ambitions," the Frenchman said ahead of Wednesday's first leg at the Emirates Stadium.
"If we want to qualify, we have to get a good result against Bayern.

"This year, Arsenal have a lot of ambition and are fighting for the league title. We have qualified in the FA Cup and we will do everything to qualify in the Champions League.

"We know it will be a difficult game and now it is important to recover very well because we had so many games. Today, we will start thinking about Bayern." Per YAHOO Sports

 

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