VEGA MA’ARIJIL ULA

2211411026

NEWS REPORTING WORKSHOP (THURSDAY 1 P.M)

'We can't repeat our Wembley mistake'

            Mathieu Flamini says Arsenal have learnt from last season’s “nightmare” start to the FA Cup final. The Gunners found themselves two goals behind after just eight minutes against Hull City but fought back and completed a famous victory with Aaron Ramsey’s extra-time winner. Saturday’s final gives Flamini a chance to lift his third FA Cup under Arsene Wenger, and he believes last season’s experience will only benefit Arsenal.

            “For us to go another year to Wembley and to have the opportunity to win it again of course is a lot of pleasure,” said Flamini. “We have more experience and we have to make sure we at least try not to make the same mistakes as we did last year. “We all agree it was a nightmare but we have more experience on FA Cup. We make sure to learn from our mistakes and not to do it again because we made it very difficult for ourselves last year. We will try to make it more simple and easier.

            “It was a difficult situation going many years without winning a trophy for such a big club. It went well and we finally won the FA Cup. This year we have the possibility to do it again. There’s less pressure this year but we really want to do well and to confirm we are a super team with a lot of quality. “It's never easy to win a final,” added Flamini. “I had the chance to play a Champions League final and I remember losing it. Of course you can't compare the FA Cup final to the Champions League, but a final is a final. It's never easy.”

            Francis Coquelin’s emergence as a first-team regular has limited Flamini’s game time, but the 31-year-old insists he is happy with life in north London. “When the team is winning there is not much to say, except working hard and trying to prove every day you can get back in the team.”