Mathieu Flamini grateful for international break

Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini believes the international break could not have come at a better time for them after their winning streak came to an end against West Bromwich Albion.

The Gunners moved back to the top of the Premier League table thanks to Sunday’s 1-1 draw, with most of the squad now departing for international commitments for the next 10 days.

The French midfielder admits that he is grateful to have a break from the intense nature of the English top flight and also said that the squad are already struggling with fatigue.

Speaking to the Arsenal official website, he said:

I think it [the break] comes at a really good time because we have played a lot. Obviously everybody is tired physically and tired mentally because you have to give 200 per cent in every single game.
For us it is a chance to have players coming back into the group like maybe Theo [Walcott] and Santi [Cazorla]. I hope everyone will be back soon.

Flamini who returned to Arsenal for a second spell after five years in Serie A with AC Milan, says that the demands of the Premier League have not let up during his time in Italy. He added:

I don’t think it is harder the Premier League was very hard before and it is still as hard as before. Top players were playing in the Premier League before and top players are still playing in the Premier League now. That means it’s very physical and very quick from one side to another.
The transition from the defence to the attack is very quick. We have a lot of space also and of course for me it is the most difficult championship. We can see that every time on the pitch.

Arsenal ended their 10 game winning streak and didn’t display one of their best performances by a long shot. The Gunners worked hard to salvage that point at the Hawthorns but there was a sense that the team were a bit jaded and needed a bit of rest.

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Arsene Wenger is not usually a fan of international breaks but this one appears to have come at the right time for Arsenal as it would mean some players would get some much needed rest and the break also means that some of our missing players can recover from their respective injuries. For the past few seasons the international breaks hasn’t done us any good but it seems this time it will favour us.

The Gunners will next face Norwich City at home on the 19th of October, which means the side will now have an 11 day break before they return to Premier League.

Do you feel the International break came at the right time for Arsenal too? Share your thoughts in the comments below.