Matteo Guendouzi was signed by Arsenal in 2018 by Unai Emery. The Frenchman can be said to be a reflection of Emery’s time at the club. The ability and talent are there but something is still missing. Despite all his good work Emery never managed to win the Arsenal dressing room.
Something similar can be said about Matteo Guendouzi. He was in Ligue 2 before he signed for Arsenal. Despite him being less experienced Emery trusted him. He also repaid that faith and played very well. However, things changed for him when Mikel Arteta arrived.
The Spaniard did play him initially. However, Guendouzi was involved in a bust-up with Neal Maupay against Brighton. Since then Arteta did not play him for the Gunners. The 20 years old lack of discipline is said to be the reason behind Arteta’s cold treatment.
He was involved in a bust-up with Mikel Arteta himself in Dubai. David Luiz advised him to be more professional but he ignored his senior. He was linked with an exit this summer. The Frenchman joined Hertha Berlin on a season-long loan.
Mesut Ozil’s role in Matteo Guendouzi’s departure
The former Lorient midfielder left on loan to accommodate Thomas Partey. He recently revealed that Mesut Ozil played a key role in his departure. The German advised Guendouzi to leave the club for Bundesliga. In an interview with Kicker, he said- “I had a very good relationship with Mesut Ozil and Bernd Leno. Both of them told me a lot of good things about the Bundesliga.”
Arteta wanted to get rid of him as he wanted to sign Houssem Aouar as well. Arsenal also tried to involve him in a number of swap deals. However, they could not sell him. Ultimately he signed for Hertha Berlin on a season-long loan.
Mesut Ozil himself made a name for himself in the Bundesliga. He then joined Real Madrid and became a superstar. The German league is also now the home of many young superstars. Jadon Sancho, Erling Haaland, Alphonso Davies, etc. are some of the examples.
Will Matteo Gunedouzi ever again play for Arsenal?
In the same interview with Kicker, Guendouzi might have given a hint about his Arsenal future. He said “I learned a lot there in terms of sport and grew up there. It was two good years for me.” The Frenchman made 82 appearances for Arsenal in two years.
While Mikel Arteta has previously hinted that he could again accept Guendouzi at Arsenal. The Spaniard believes that everyone starts from zero in football. He further explained it by saying that it does not matter what one did in the past. “What you did two weeks ago or two years ago doesn’t really matter. It’s what you are able to contribute to the team now“.
Not only this Arteta has also stressed the importance of attitude. He said, “They’ll have to show with their performances and their attitude that they are better than their teammates“.
Thus the Frenchman needs to show that he is capable of changing his attitude. There has never been a doubt about his ability. However, top managers always players with a good attitude. He is still young and he can learn and improve.
At Hertha, he will have more responsibilities than at Arsenal. Here he will be the big player in the midfield. Thus it will bring out the best of him. There is still time for him to save his Arsenal career if he can improve upon his attitude.
