Arsenal saw Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi departed Emirates Stadium on transfer deadline day. Torreira joined Atletico Madrid and Guendouzi secured the Hertha Berlin move, both loan transfers.
Both midfielders had recently been fallen out with manager Mikel Arteta, expected to leave in this transfer window. Arsenal targeted new midfielders in recent weeks and signed Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid to replace them.
Arsenal had Mikel Arteta promoted to manager role from his previous head coach responsibility. He and technical director Edu Gaspar saw transfer dealings in this window, both largely succeeded.
Edu explains Torreira and Guendouzi departures
Gaspar Edu has explained all transfer activities happened in recent weeks. He also stated every deal was different to handle, due to the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economy.
Edu stated that both players have an Arsenal future, as there is no buyout clause in their loan deals. Both players are yet to achieve their prime level, so a loan move will be a great platform for them to show their worth.
He also said that both players were demanding regular football and that is the reason they were sent out on loan. Edu also clarified that no one was forced out at Emirates Stadium in this transfer window.
“If you see Lucas Torreira, if you see Matteo I think for them it was really really important to move, play more games, be more comfortable and happier because both came to me and Mikel to talk about the possibility to go to have more game and play more minutes.” – Gaspar Edu on Torreira and Guendouzi loan exit
Torreira impressed with his debut season under the management of Unai Emery. But he failed to do the same with the new manager Mikel Arteta. He failed to make an appearance since the start of this season and was listening to many offers in this window.
The 24-year-old Uruguayan midfielder will be facing tough competition for places in Diego Simeone’s squad. But Torreira will prove his quality with every chance he gets at Wanda Metropolitano.
Matteo Guendouzi also had a rift with Arteta since June, where he grabbed the throat of Brighton forward Neal Maupay. He escaped FA punishment for that but Arteta banned him from training sessions last season.
Frenchman returned to first-team training sessions this season but failed to win Arteta’s trust. He also failed to feature in any of the opening fixtures since their Community Shield victory over Liverpool. Matteo Guendouzi is just 19-year-old, so this loan move is a great opportunity for him to show his skills.
“When you see the clubs they went to it was brilliant. Lucas went to Atletico Madrid which is a very important club going to play Champions League. They play quite a nice system, the way they are playing for Lucas Torreira then you see Hertha Berlin and it’s a similar situation with Lucas” – Edu on Torreira and Guendouzi loans for their development