Matteo Guendouzi up for prestigious European award

Matteo Guendouzi fine form continues to be recognised

Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi, fresh from winning the Arsenal September player of the month award, is up for another one.

Guendouzi has been named on the final Golden Boy shortlist. The award is given by sports journalists to players under the age of 21 that have impressed in a calendar year. In better words, two halves of a season.

The award, which was established in 2003 by Tuttosport, has grown to include journalists from Bild (Germany), Blick (Switzerland), A Bola (Portugal), l’Équipe (France), France Football (France), Marca (Spain), Mundo Deportivo (Spain), Ta Nea (Greece), Sport Express (Russia), De Telegraaf (Netherlands), and The Times (United Kingdom).

Guendouzi will face stiff opposition from an illustrious list of high-quality youngsters.

Golden Boy final shortlist

Matthijs de Ligt (20) – Juventus
Alphonso Davies (18) – Bayern Munich
Gianluigi Donnarumma (20) – AC Milan
Ansu Fati (16) – Barcelona
Phil Foden (19) – Man City
Matteo Guendouzi (20) – Arsenal
Erling Braut Haaland (19) – RB Salzburg
Kai Haverts (20) – Bayer Leverkusen
Joao Felix (19) – Atletico Madrid
Dejan Joveljic (20) – Eintracht Frankfurt
Moise Kean (19) – Everton
Lee Kang-in (18) – Valencia
Andriy Lunin (20) – Real Madrid
Donyell Malen (20) – PSV
Mason Mount (20) – Chelsea
Rodrygo (18) – Real Madrid
Jadon Sancho (19) – Borussia Dortmund
Ferran Torres (19) – Valencia
Vinicius Junior (19) – Real Madrid
Nicolo Zaniolo (20) – Roma

The 20-year-old has had a great start to the season and was rightfully recognised by the Arsenal fans as their standout player last month. His form has been applauded from his teammates to the fans to pundits and this latest recognition is fully deserved.

We wish Guendouzi all the luck in the world and looking at the list above, he will need it.