Two months ago, few of us had heard of Matteo Guendouzi…then he signed for Arsenal, excelled in pre-season, out-haired David Luiz in a London derby and became only the fourth teenager to play the opening four games of a Premier League season for the Gunners.
It’s been a whirlwind journey for the 19-year-old since he moved from Ligue 2 side Lorient in July. Is he enjoying it? You bet. Although, naturally, he says he’s doing his best to keep his feet on the ground.
Speaking on a short Interlull jaunt back to his home country, Matteo caught up with regional publication Ouest France to reflect on how he’s coping with the rigours of English football and his newfound fame…
You’ve moved from Ligue 2 to matches against Chelsea and Manchester City, tell us about this sudden change…
It’s another world. Arsenal is a historic club, beautiful, world famous, one of the best in Europe with big stars in the team. It’s hard to explain, but it really is another dimension. Everything has changed.
And on the field?
The games are much more intense. In England there are great players from everywhere, it’s impressive. I’ve adapted fast enough, that the most important thing. It’s up to me to keep my place, this is just the beginning.
Did you expect to make an impression so quickly?
I had a good pre-season, in particular during the friendlies in Singapore. I think it was in the balance whether I’d get a chance to start the league games, but I had the answer. It’s up to me to keep working so that the team can win as many games as possible. I have everything I need to succeed at Arsenal and we have everything to make a great season.
Many clubs courted you. Why did you opt for the Gunners?
Arsenal is the club of my heart, the one I supported since I was little. I grew up watching videos of Vieira, Henry and the others with my father, French players who made history. When I knew the club was interested in signing me, I did not hesitate.
You became famous very quickly, how do you manage this?
I’m staying focused on what I need to do on the field. What’s going on away from the pitch, that’s nice, of course, but football is what excites me the most. I’m getting a little more famous, of course, but I’m not getting carried away. I’ve had my head on my shoulders since I was young. I was educated like that. I will stay that way.
Is playing for France something that’s at the back of your mind?
For now, I’m really focused on my goals with Arsenal. I do not rush, things will come if they have to come. But inevitably, it’s a dream for me. I will do everything to get there someday. If I succeed, it would be extraordinary.
Have you watched the World Cup this summer?
Of course. I celebrated, it was beautiful. I hope someday to wear the shirt.
Top guy
Looks like we’ve got a good ‘un here. Some of his passing out to the wings is absolutely fantastic – and his rise hopefully gives encouragement to the other youngsters at the academy.
I don’t know about all of you but I’m really enjoying having so much new stuff to look at and think about this season. At this point last year I was already feeling a bit jaded.
Agreed on the being jaded part.
Hoping for more hope of trophies, especially PL and CL.
Love that he is an Arsenal supporter, good to hear.
The fact that he loved the Arsenal when growing up and is an Arsenal fan
too, is just another part of Arsene’s legacy. Let’s not overlook that.
And that he was voted Arsenal Player of the Month for August.
If we get more signings like him, we could have the makings of a great side. I hope our development players are taken into account before signings like Guendouzi. I found it a little unsettling when we signed him because I rated Joe Willock very highly, but I now see the difference between a good young player and someone with the potential to become great. We have lacked those in the past few years. Hector and Iwobi are the only two that really made an impression since Wilshere and before Maitland-Niles, while other teams gathered up the top young talents… Read more »
So glad he has a head on his shoulders. Difficult to succeed if it’s elsewhere.
Particularly if it’s in your arse
Hasn’t stopped Maureen getting some plum jobs in the game.
Wasn’t known for being humble before but he is managing the success he is having at Arsenal very well.
Hopefully with time he’s tactical acumen will match his aura on the pitch. Positive vibes on him. Still feel torreira must be in the line up either at his expense or xhaka. I’d be tempted to test him and torreira because of mobility but I’d be happy either way as xhaka has shown some improvement.
Yep. The fact he only gave away one goal is an improvement ??♂️
I don’t defend that bad pass, but it’s ridiculous to claim he gave away a goal. We had plenty of players back, and time to pressure the cross. We didn’t do that, didn’t deal with the ball falling in the area. Three, four players, including Xhaka, made mistakes, all equally serious, though Xhaka’s was the easiest to see.
Agree that there were enough players to handle the situation after that pass but that can’t hide the fact that this was an absolute no go pass at this level, especially from a defensive midfielder who’s biggest strength is his passing and his intelligence. And it’s not like it was the first time, or the second, or the third, or the forth… And I have to say that it’s true that his passing can be very good when he’s having a good day but not good enough to make up for this kind of flaws to his game. It’s similar… Read more »
Intelligence? LOL
This made me laugh a little. 😛
Really? You think that goal is Xhaka’s fault??? The giveaway is bad but the defending after is a shambles. Not all on Xhaka at all. His giveaway is about 10 percent of the problem on the goal not more not less.
Hard to say, but it looks as though Guendouzzi and Torreira may hold the key to our season. Out of our three leading midfielders, these two seem to have the most upside to their game. I have real reservations about Xhaka. He seems so unfocused and error prone at this time, that it is very hard to imagine he will be a solid player for the whole season. Hopefully our midfield jells more quickly over the next few games, given the new strategy.
The guys a real gem. I’m really interested on how he progresses. His transition from League 2 to Prem we mightily impressive
Loving this chap. Real no nonsense, never give up midfielder! Hard to believe, when watching him play, he really is 19!
My Arsenal player of the month for August!
Lacazette. His last goal was literally lethal.
And most others, see the result on the official site.
Oh… did that come out already? I rarely go to that site since Arseblog started the news site.
Well deserved votes!
His responses show his maturity level. Great to know that.
He puts in so much work in that midfield that he ends up running out of gas fast. He’s really a hard working chap who’s willing to give his all, but I hope he doesn’t end up with a nasty injury when burn out. Thank God that Emery seems to notice when to get him out, otherwise he might actually run himself to the ground. Obvious that he wasn’t pretending about loving Asernal FC. A very dedicated chap and I really like him a lot.
He is what El Neny should have been. Now let’s replace El Neny and Xhaka with players who can play with the ball.
I voted him for Arsenal Player of the Month. Did he win?
Reminds me of the debut of that man Viera?
Really beginning to love this kid
Who were the other 3 teenagers? Maybe Anelka and fabregas? Who else? Bellerin?
He has it in him to stay focus and challenge for a spot. In fact we need all 3 of Granit, Guendouzi and Torreira. It isn’t a zero sum game, the way Emery wants to sustain the press throughout a game, we will need all 3 to rotate. There isn’t a preferred starting two. Guendouzi brings a lot of energy, Torreira has the positional discipline, Granit is a pass master and has improved defensively as well. Beyond them, it s debatable who comes in as a back up to the main 3. Elneny is a bit mediocre but always willing… Read more »