Flamini Happy About Fabregas' London Return Despite Chelsea Move

Arsenal star Mathieu Flamini has claimed that he is happy about having his friend Cesc Fabregas back in London even though it will be strange to face him as a rival playing for Chelsea.

The former Arsenal star joined the Blues earlier this summer after Jose Mourinho's side agreed to pay around £27m to Barcelona to secure the former Arsenal captain.

Fabregas then revealed his first choice was to return to the Emirates Stadium but that Arsene Wenger passed up the chance to sign him because there was no room for him in the current Arsenal side.

"When I decided that my time at Barcelona had ended, I looked for the best option for me. Arsenal was the first option, for contractual reasons. There was a clause that gave them the right to decide. We spoke to Wenger and he said that the space was very well filled by Mesut Özil and it was hard to find a place for both of us in the team," he revealed.

Flamini has claimed that even though it will be tough to face his old friend next season he is happy to have him back at London

"I'm a bit disappointed that he'll be playing with Chelsea rather than us, but I respect his decision," Flamini told Goal.com.

"That's football, and I'm very happy for him because I'm sure that if he's moving back it's because he wanted it. I'm also very happy that he's coming back to London because he's going to be my neighbour, so I'll see him a lot!"

"I had an amazing time with him at Arsenal and he stayed a very close friend of mine," he said.

Furthermore, Flaimini hints that he will remain friends with the Spaniard even though they will be rivals in the pitch.

"It will be very strange to play against him, and it won't be easy - we were laughing about it when I saw him a few days ago - but I'm happy because it will give me the opportunity to see him a bit more than when he was in Barcelona."