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Mathieu Flamini has hailed Arsene Wenger’s “unbelievable achievement” of reaching 1,000 games.

After nearly 18 years in charge, Arsenal boss Wenger passes the remarkable landmark at Chelsea on Saturday when the Gunners face a crunch title-race battle at Stamford Bridge.

Flamini, now in his second spell at the north London club, says the respect for Wenger from the dressing room is stronger than ever and that his fellow Frenchman's vision and philosophy have never changed.

But Flamini admits that the biggest present the players can give him is silverware to end a trophy drought dating back to May 2005 and the midfielder is confident they can pull it off in the title race and FA Cup.

He said of Wenger's 1,000 games: “It’s an unbelievable achievement. He means so much to the club for the achievements he has done until now. Congratulations to him, first of all.

"I think it’s someone who knows exactly what he wants. He has a vision since the beginning, he’s moved to Arsenal and he still has the same one. He know exactly how he wants to play. That’s remarkable.

“He’s not really changed, he’s still the same person. He had a philosophy before and he still has the same ones, that’s why it’s so easy for me to come back and to find my place in this team.

“They were playing a certain [type of] football before and they still play the same. The focus is on small passes and high pressing and to attack. At Arsenal the football is focused on attacking and playing nice football.

“His philosophy was exactly the same – his style, his management and desire to win.”

Wenger’s legacy will be remembered for the early years, when Arsenal swept all before them but, when the club moved from Highbury to the Emirates, everything changed.

Arsenal had to look at different transfer targets, fell behind Chelsea and Manchester United and are now seeking their first trophy in nine years.

But they are pushing for glory on two fronts, with an FA Cup semi-final to come next month, and Flamini insists they can win silverware this season and claims the race for the title has become a “sprint” finish - starting with the visit to Chelsea on Sunday.

Flamini added: “We have a few more games to come which are not easy, because Chelsea and Manchester City are also fighting for the title.

“In the title race, it’s very important not to drop any more points because it’s not a marathon now it’s a sprint. We have a few more games and we want to win every single one.

“The Premier League is one of the objectives but we still have the FA Cup and we really want to make something of this competition too.

“It’s a great opportunity, everyone is waiting for Arsenal to win a title and everyone is talking around the club that Arsenal haven’t won a title for a while. It’s a great opportunity for us and it’s in our hands and I can assure everyone we will do everything to go through and win it this year.

“Both competitions are very important for us. Winning titles is very important for every single player, the management team and the fans. We will fight and give everything to win a title this season.

“I’m focused on our team. The Premier League is very competitive, it’s a very open championship and that means every single point is important.

“I would love to win a title, it means so much to the players, to the manager and the fans. We believe we can do it, we will give everything to do it.”

Flamini also offered support to the injured Mesut Ozil and believes the German midfielder will come back stronger.

He added: “He is one of my closest team-mates, he has outstanding quality and has brought so much to the club on the pitch and off the pitch. In the dressing room, he is a very important player. Every time on the pitch he gives so much.

“I’m very proud of him, very happy to have him in our team.

"He’s a player of great quality. We will miss him a lot over the coming weeks but I think the manager will find a way to replace him, even if it won’t be easy as he’s such a talented player.”