Matteo Guendouzi’s Arsenal stint
Arsenal signed Matteo Guendouzi in 2018 from Ligue 2 side Lorient and, in the opening campaign, were certain that they had uncovered another Ligue 1 gem. The Frenchman featured a whopping 48 times as he took to Premier League football under Unai Emery like a duck to water, but struggled when Mikel Arteta took over.
Left out for various disciplinary and injury issues, the then 20 year old midfielder spent the 2020-2 season on loan at Hertha Berlin, before departing this summer for Marseilles on an initial loan deal with an obligation to buy.
Arsenal have agreed a deal with Marseille for Matteo Guendouzi, as reported by @MohamedTERParis. Loan with obligation to buy next summer. Arsenal will receive around £10m for the midfielder. Deal could be completed in the next few days. pic.twitter.com/y1GQRpS2Ic
— Charles Watts (@charles_watts) July 3, 2021
While undoubtedly talented, it is his off the pitch issues that make him such a timebomb for managers, and something Arteta felt he could not have in his Arsenal squad.
Guendouzi opens up ahead of potential debut
Ahead of his potential national team debut this evening against Belgium in the nations league semi-final, Guendouzi sat down with Onze Mondial for an exclusive interview.
Never lacking in confidence, the Frenchman was quick to outline his aims:
“I want to write a story with the France team. It’s great to be there in the first place. I’m very happy, but I want to get as many caps as possible, to bring something to this team and stay over the long term. I’ve accumulated a lot of games with the youth teams, and was notably captain. I have a very good relationship with the France team in general. It’s really a source of pride to be there”
The 2022 World Cup is an objective, it’s in my head. It’s in my head. My turn will come through hard work. I am confident.”
Guendouzi continued, touching on his decision to join Marseilles this summer:
“Before coming to Marseille, I had many options. Talking to president [Pablo] Longoria and coach [Jorge] Sampaoli was what convinced me. I immediately said, “I want OM”. First of all, Marseille is the biggest club in France, the club has won the Champions League, it has a great history. It has the most fervent support in the country.
All of these aspects made my choice clearer. I like to play in a full stadium when I’m at home. I like feeling the supporters’ true love for the club. That’s what I’ve found here. I haven’t been this happy since the start of my career.”
The last two sentences, including the supporters “true love”, certainly appear to be subtle digs at his time spent at the Emirates Stadium.
Read more:
Arsenal confirm former midfield star has begun training with the club as Arteta reveals why
Martin Odegaard pinpoints the difference between Arsenal and Real Madrid’s dressing room cultures
Arsenal betting odds, next game:
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace odds: result, both teams to score, correct score & goalscorers
| Arsenal vs Crystal Palace Result/Both teams score | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| Arsenal | 5/2 | 6/4 |
| Crystal Palace | 11/1 | 9/1 |
| Draw | 9/2 | 10/1 |
Arsenal’s latest videos
Who is Ben White’s favourite footballer ever?
Find out Ben White’s favourite: • Stadium • Sport • Arsenal player • Film…
2021-10-06T15:17:36Z
Champions League media day! | Behind the scenes at Arsenal training centre
Head behind the scenes at London Colney to see what happened when Arsenal Women…
2021-10-05T16:02:40Z
Premier League table
| # | Team | MP | D | P |
| 1 | Chelsea FC | 7 | 12 | 16 |
| 2 | Liverpool FC | 7 | 11 | 15 |
| 3 | Manchester City | 7 | 11 | 14 |
| 4 | Manchester United | 7 | 8 | 14 |
| 5 | Everton FC | 7 | 5 | 14 |
| 6 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 7 | 3 | 14 |
| 7 | Brentford FC | 7 | 4 | 12 |
| 8 | Tottenham Hotspur | 7 | -4 | 12 |
| 9 | West Ham United | 7 | 4 | 11 |
| 10 | Aston Villa | 7 | 1 | 10 |
| 11 | Arsenal FC | 7 | -5 | 10 |
| 12 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 7 | -1 | 9 |
| 13 | Leicester City | 7 | -3 | 8 |
| 14 | Crystal Palace | 7 | -3 | 7 |
| 15 | Watford FC | 7 | -3 | 7 |
| 16 | Leeds United | 7 | -7 | 6 |
| 17 | Southampton FC | 7 | -5 | 4 |
| 18 | Burnley FC | 7 | -6 | 3 |
| 19 | Newcastle United | 7 | -8 | 3 |
| 20 | Norwich City | 7 | -14 | 1 |
| Player | Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Salah, Mohamed | Liverpool FC | 6 |
| Vardy, Jamie | Leicester City | 6 |
| Antonio, Michail | West Ham United | 5 |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United | 4 |
| Mane, Sadio | Liverpool FC | 4 |
| Maupay, Neal | Brighton & Hove Albion | 4 |
| Sarr, Ismaila | Watford FC | 4 |
| Townsend, Andros | Everton FC | 3 |
| Benrahma, Said | West Ham United | 3 |
| Son, Heung Min | Tottenham Hotspur | 3 |
| Gray, Demarai | Everton FC | 3 |
| Ronaldo, Cristiano | Manchester United | 3 |
| Lukaku, Romelu | Chelsea FC | 3 |
| Calvert-Lewin, Dominic | Everton FC | 3 |
| Jota, Diogo | Liverpool FC | 3 |
| Hwang, Hee-chan | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 3 |
| Raphinha | Leeds United | 3 |
| Greenwood, Mason | Manchester United | 3 |
| Doucoure, Abdoulaye | Everton FC | 2 |
| Jesus, Gabriel | Manchester City | 2 |
| Player | Team | Red Cards | Yellow Cards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dennis, Emmanuel | Watford FC | 0 | 4 |
| Skipp, Oliver | Tottenham Hotspur | 0 | 4 |
| Pogba, Paul | Manchester United | 0 | 3 |
| Doucoure, Abdoulaye | Everton FC | 0 | 3 |
| Rice, Declan | West Ham United | 0 | 3 |
| Cooper, Liam | Leeds United | 0 | 3 |
| Norgaard, Christian | Brentford FC | 0 | 3 |
| Tarkowski, James | Burnley FC | 0 | 3 |
| Veltman, Joel | Brighton & Hove Albion | 0 | 3 |
| Brownhill, Josh | Burnley FC | 0 | 3 |
| Etebo, Oghenekaro | Watford FC | 0 | 3 |
| Djenepo, Moussa | Southampton FC | 0 | 3 |
| Antonio, Michail | West Ham United | 0 | 1 |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United | 0 | 2 |
| Maupay, Neal | Brighton & Hove Albion | 0 | 2 |
| Jimenez, Raul | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 0 | 2 |
| Raphinha | Leeds United | 0 | 2 |
| Gallagher, Conor | Crystal Palace | 0 | 2 |
| Alonso, Marcos | Chelsea FC | 0 | 2 |
| Ward Prowse, James | Southampton FC | 1 | 1 |
| Player | Team | Assists |
|---|---|---|
| Pogba, Paul | Manchester United | 7 |
| Doucoure, Abdoulaye | Everton FC | 4 |
| Jesus, Gabriel | Manchester City | 4 |
| Salah, Mohamed | Liverpool FC | 3 |
| Antonio, Michail | West Ham United | 3 |
| Saint-Maximin, Allan | Newcastle United | 3 |
| Kovacic, Mateo | Chelsea FC | 3 |
| Townsend, Andros | Everton FC | 2 |
| Benrahma, Said | West Ham United | 2 |
| Ings, Danny | Aston Villa | 2 |
| Toney, Ivan | Brentford FC | 2 |
| Jimenez, Raul | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2 |
| Bamford, Patrick | Leeds United | 2 |
| James, Reece | Chelsea FC | 2 |
| Azpilicueta, Cesar | Chelsea FC | 2 |
| Gross, Pascal | Brighton & Hove Albion | 2 |
| King, Joshua | Watford FC | 2 |
| Pereira, Ricardo | Leicester City | 2 |
| Alexander-Arnold, Trent | Liverpool FC | 2 |
| Rice, Declan | West Ham United | 2 |
