Flamini transforms from Arsenal outcast to unlikely derby hero

The 31-year-old Frenchman was told he could leave in the summer but scored both goals in Wednesday's north London derby win against bitter rival Tottenham.

LONDON — The only reason Mathieu Flamini is still an Arsenal player is because Arsenal could not agree a deal for him to cancel his contract and allow him to leave in the summer transfer window.

Tonight he is the toast of the red half of north London and the most unlikely hero of a 2-1 win in a victory against Tottenham which has booked the Gunners’ place in the fourth round of the League Cup.

Flamini was told he could leave by Arsene Wenger at the start of the summer and the manager admitted that the 31-year-old’s match-winning performance…