Matteo Guendouzi has recalled his time at Arsenal and insists he had a special bond with the club.
The Frenchman was a key player on the team under Unai Emery and also got some chances when Mikel Arteta became the club’s manager.
But gradually, the Spanish gaffer no longer trusted him and they eventually fell out.
Arsenal sent Guendouzi out on loan for two consecutive seasons before he sealed a permanent transfer to Olympique Marseille.
He has become one of the best players at the Ligue 1 club and has been named in the France squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
He told GQ in France: “It was hard to leave Arsenal because I had a special connection to that club, like a lot of young French player who saw Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and many others go through there. I never cheated, I always tried to give the best of myself for the club and the fans. But I no longer had the game time I wanted and when you’re young, you need to play a lot of games.”
Just Arsenal Opinion
We knew Guendouzi was a top talent and we even considered him to become the Arsenal captain after Granit Xhaka lost the armband in 2019.
However, his hot-head got the better of him and ruined his relationship with Arteta.
His career progress will not surprise most of us because we knew he could do big things if he has the right attitude.
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Sad for him and the club because i still think him and Torreira were two very good players…..Emery by the way has given a chance for many players including Saka Martenelli ESR which are now making the core of this young exciting team it’s sad that he messed in that Crystal Palace game and in Baku….A very good coach indeed
I thought it was Brighton, not Palace?
And I believe that was only one instance of his character issues. He wouldn’t be recruited now for that reason – the club/management has learned that character matters.
So if this is some attempt to pave a way back, I suspect Mr Guendouzi will be disappointed.
IDKWIC, there was also a problem with him when the club went out to Dubai. He firstly kicked off on the training pitch and then when the team went out for dinner.
Talented player there is no question; you have to be to crack that French squad. His time at Arsenal was both shine and shadow. A bit too much ego, played well under Emery, but never adapted to the demands of Arteta.
A shame really, we would be a better team with him in the squad I believe, but not with the baggage he had at that time. I don’t wish him ill, I wish him maturity, humbleness, and composure because he has the potential to be a very good midfielder, just unlikely with Arsenal.
Trouble with wishing he had stayed, is that the baggage he brings because of how he is, would have still been there.
I takea polar opposite view and want all those who refuse to buy into MA’s wonderful team ethic , not the individual but the TEAM ethic, gone from our club ASAP. I do not wish this overgrown child any ill, but I AM SO GLAD HE IS NOT HERE NOW.
I have no doubt that if he were, we could not have the wonderful team harmony we have today.
TO ME THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE CLEAR AND SIMPLE REALITY WITH ALL THOSE WHO WON’T PUT THE TEAM BEFORE THEMSELVES.
RESPECT FOR AND OBEYING THE MANAGER IS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE.
Durand He might have gotten all those wishes you stated already because no player will get a call up to French team without that not especially with Deschamp in charge ask Benzema he had to change his attitude to receive a call up that means Matteo is now a good player and a good leader.
Benzema was left out of the French squad because of a long running investigation into sex scandal, not his attitude.
I am talking about Emery who made a lot of changes against CP got beaten and Lost ,Therefore, the forth spot….Baku was also a very “Bad Trip” and his Time was about to finish from then…..Arteta was given,thankfully,more Time to have his propre team and now it’s paying of…..
@ idon’tknowwhyicare