At least one former player turned pundit is defending Matteo Guendouzi

Matteo Guendouzi has come under fire in recent weeks following his antics against Brighton.

The Frenchman taunted the Brighton players about how much they earned compared to him during the game and this didn’t impress Mikel Arteta who punished the former PSG trainee by not naming him in any of his last two starting XI.

The midfielder’s future at the Emirates is now a major doubt with reports claiming that he has asked to leave the Emirates (The Metro).

Arsenal, however, turned down the request and made it clear to him that he was still a part of their team heading into the future.

Jamie Redknapp has, however, leapt to the defence of the 21-year-old by claiming that he isn’t the first player to talk down to their opponents.

The Englishman admitted that he has also done that during his playing days and urged that Guendouzi isn’t judged by that but by the football that he plays.

He wrote in the Daily Mail: “Matteo Guendouzi did not make the Arsenal squad again yesterday, but I refuse to hammer the 21-year-old for his trash-talking against Brighton.

“He apparently brought up money with Neal Maupay. It’s crass, it’s unkind, but it happens. It’s happened since day dot in football and it will always happen.

“I’ve made comments, too. ‘Who are you? Turn around and show me your name because I’ve not got a clue who you are.’

“It’s all said in the heat of the moment. A player says something he later regrets.

“So to slaughter Guendouzi for sledging, to borrow the cricket term, is unfair.

“He is not the first to do it, he won’t be the last. I’d rather focus on his performances. If you want to act like a big player, play like one. Let’s hope being dropped by Mikel Arteta comes as a reality check and he learns from it.”

Tags Jamie Redknapp Matteo Guendouzi

6 Comments

  1. Not a player I rate ..
    Spends half the match trying to tuck his hair behind his ears and the other half running around looking lost ..
    A few have mentioned he has passion and fight in him ,but that does not make him a good player.
    We always seem to get good money for our rejects (Iwobi being one ,Ox another )I say sell if we can get a good bit of money for him .
    We have already had one useless coaster in Ramsey playing in the CM position for the last 10 years ,I honestly couldn’t face watching Matteo for the next 10.

    1. Wahoo! Finally, this is the case I’ve been trying to make all along. Guendouzi IS a fighter, in a good way, that’s why Arsenal need him. We have no fighters. The whole team almost is passionless. Passion makes a team want to win, and we can do that. We just need to do it more.

  2. Anyone who has played sport wilk know sledging is a big part of it and im with Redknapp, it isn’t as big an issue as has been made it out to be. Gouendouzi should be guided by the coach to get out of him the obvious talent, not shunned or put in the naughty corner.

    1. YES!😁
      I totally agree with you.
      When he’s in a good mood, Guendouzi is one of the most passionate, driving, non-stop Arsenal players I’ve seen. He certainly can score and assist. He knows celebration for every goal as a team. And he’s not going anywhere 😒
      When he’s in a bad mood, none of that changes. The fighting spirit just goes a little too far. And that’s what Arteta is disciplining him for. But hey, look, we have to remember that Guendouzi’s only 21, at a captainless team. One fight and suddenly he goes from hero to zero? Come on–how many times has the beloved Aubameyang lost his temper?

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