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Mathieu Flamini, a former Arsenal player turned billionaire, has previously hinted he would be open to purchasing the club from its current owners, the Kroenke family. Flamini retired from football in 2019 and has since achieved remarkable success in the business world after co-founding GFBiochemicals. He now controls more than half of the firm, with his net worth reaching an eye-watering £10billion, as per Forbes. The same American business publication valued the Gunners at £2.6bn earlier this year, meaning 41-year-old Flamini could theoretically afford to purchase the club multiple times over. The ex-AC Milan midfielder has previously suggested he would be keen on running a club that holds special significance for him, such as Arsenal or his childhood team, Marseille. Speaking to The Athletic in 2023, he said: "Football is the No.1 sport, it is driving so much attention, the hot issues of this world should also be on the agenda of the governing bodies. "It's a world that I belong to. If there is the right opportunity at the right time and the right discussion, if I meet people who are the same vision and mindset and desire to use football for a purpose, I would love to. Obviously, those clubs [Arsenal and Marseille] have a special place in my heart. "I never forget where I come from. In life, you never know, but it's all about the right opportunity. I'm a real believer in the right time, right place, right people. We'll see what the future is made of. I'm a believer. If you want something very much, the universe usually brings it to you. Let's see what the universe will bring." Interestingly, Flamini attributes his strong work ethic to two of his former Arsenal colleagues, Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp. "I learnt to work. Work is very important and they were giving everything in training," he said. "Every little game was a fight, every little game was important to win and since then I have felt the same. Every game has to be won. The winning mentality is something that I remember well. "I was very impressed because they were already top players and it was a chance to be with them every day, play with them and learn from them. I was feeling lucky but I wanted to be part of that group." However, despite these comments, there's no indication that Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke is prepared to sell at this time. So, for now, Flamini's attention is on GFBiochemicals. He said: "We founded GF Biochemicals with the ambition of finding sustainable alternatives to oil-based products." The firm is committed to developing environmentally friendly substitutes for potentially harmful petrochemicals found in everyday items, such as plastic, rubber and even bath gel. Flamini had previously dismissed the idea of football ownership, adding: "Don't ask me how I'll be involved in football, because it's not something I've thought about. "But, definitely, it's something which I've been part of forever in my life. I will always want to be part of this community." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
