Arsenal were widely praised for their capture of Matteo Guendouzi.
The young Frenchman was playing in Ligue 2 with FC Lorient when he was spotted by Gunners scouts in 2018 and signed for around £8million.
Guendouzi was expected to disappear into the background in north London, but testament to the midfielder’s character and ability he broke into Unai Emery’s first team.
Guendouzi was still very much on the scene at Arsenal when Mikel Arteta took the reins… but it wasn’t long before the cracks started to appear and things went wrong.
The first hint that there were problems between Guendouzi and Arteta emerged in 2020 during Arsenal’s winter training break in Dubai.
(Image: Getty Images)
The Frenchman was involved in a training ground bust-up, which saw him immediately dropped by Arteta.
The pair would later patch things up but it wasn’t long before Guendouzi rubbed his manager up the wrong way again and was back on the bench.
During an Arsenal defeat by Brighton, the Frenchman was involved in an argument and ended up grabbing compatriot Neal Maupay by the throat.
It was alleged that Guendouzi had also been taunting the Brighton players over how much they earn.
The match would be Guendouzi’s last in an Arsenal shirt, with the midfielder being sent on loan to Bundesliga club Hertha Berlin.
The Frenchman has made 13 appearances this season and has scored twice.
But cracks have started to appear again and Bild is reporting that the Arsenal loanee has been coming across as ‘moody’ and ‘stubborn’.
(Image: Offside via Getty Images)
He is also allegedly said to be ‘resistant to advice’.
Hertha boss Pal Dardai’s recently told Bild: “It’s like puberty for [Guendouzi], he’s kind of a rebel. He has to work and learn like an animal.”
Guendouzi still sees his future at Arsenal and made this clear in a recent interview with France Football.
“I am focused on my season with Hertha Berlin,” he said.
“Next, we will sit down with my entourage and people at the club to discuss the future. This summer will be a decisive moment.
“I belong to Arsenal for another year. From the moment that I am playing for Arsenal, I will give everything for the club, fans, team, and staff.
“I will work hard for the shirt as I have always done.”
(Image: Pool via REUTERS)
Arteta sent the midfielder on loan to gain life experience, grow up, and learn to conduct himself as a professional.
And if reports from Germany are to be believed then Guendouzi still has a long way to go.
Currently, Arteta’s decision to send him out on loan is perfectly justified.
And how things pan out for Guendouzi appear very much up to him. His life is in his hands.
