Matteo Guendouzi says last summer was a chance for him to prove to Unai Emery and the Arsenal players that he was worthy of a place in the squad.
The midfielder was a surprise signing from Lorient, and he decided against representing France at the U19 European Championships so he could settle in and establish himself at his new club.
It paid dividends, as he impressed in pre-season, and has been a key player for Emery throughout the season.
He faced the media today ahead of tomorrow’s Europa League clash with Rennes, and was asked about his start with the Gunners last summer.
“When I came to Arsenal last year, we went to pre-season in Singapore and I knew it was important for me to show what I could do,” he said.
“I knew I had to play well and I did play well at the time, so I got the confidence of the coach and the other players.
“Hopefully it will go on like that for a while.”
And when pressed on the qualities he believes he brings to the side, he continued, “I’m a young player, so I have a lot of energy.
“I run for my teammates, I fight for my team and I play with my heart and give 150 per cent in every match – I give everything.
“That’s the secret I suppose.”
Emery will have to decide whether or not to start him or Granit Xhaka tomorrow alongside Lucas Torreira who will undoubtedly play as he’s suspended for the Man Utd game following an unsuccessful appeal to his red card last weekend.
So do we Matteo. In comments section’s and on Twitter.
Just hoping he can grow with time. Talent is evident. Will be hoping if he stays injury free he can after two seasons start to really impose himself consistently that’s if he’s not sold ?
Nevermind sold. Injury free?!
Why can’t he stay injury free? ^HelderHughes
Because he’s a young arsenal player.
Love this boy. What a steal for 7 million.
Now the question is…if say PSG were to swoop in with 50 odd million. I think Arsenal have to take the money. He’s good, but let’s be perfectly honest, many many players could do the job he does. As well as he’s played I don’t see him developing into a world class midfielder. He’s a useful player absolutely, but a decent bid I think we should sell.
So negative
You couldn’t replace him for £50 mill, he’s an absolute baller.
We’ve got a real talent on our hands here, he can go on to become one of the very best
Oh yeah totally. Let’s sell our 19 yo who’s already not looking out of place in the PL to PSG for £50 million as he’s sure not to be a world class player. We can then spend that £50 mill on one of the many established world class midfielders who are available for that kind of money in the current market. You should hand a CV in for the Technical Director job.
Oh yeah totally. Let’s sell our 19 yo who’s already not looking out of place in the PL to PSG for £50 million as he’s sure not to be a world class player. We can then spend that £50 mill on one of the many established world class midfielders who are available for that kind of money in the current market. You should hand a CV in for the Technical Director job.
Every once in a while I read comments which makes me think “Boy am I glad this guy’s not our manager!” well, maybe if it’s our rival’s manager.
Cacho is casho in disguise. Just terrible. Hope you never make a financial decision in your life for your own good
You obviously don’t see football from a proper perspective…the lad has world class written all over him, if you can’t see that then you can see much in football then. Question should be “can we hold on to him?”.
Is that you, Stan? KROENKE OUT!
???
I stand by my point. He’s not that good, he’s just not. I can like the player and also think it’s the right business decision. Especially considering we have nothing to spend this summer. The only issue would be with Ramsey going we’ll need another midfield so a bad time for him to leave. Still though, 50 mill gets us an experienced player and another young prospect.
This is what teams not willing to spend HAVE to do
Ref was terribly stupid to dish out a red sooo late in the match, paricularly when Torreira won the ball.
Guendouzi will step up next to Granit. It has been either him or Torreira next to the Swiss deep lying playmaker.
Midfield is key to all our endeavors.
Clearly we have paid with some positional issues with young Guendouzi but his ability to drive us forward is rather useful.
Great attitude, top player, we’ve got a real diamond in this lad…
Confident, great engine and can’t half pick a pass out! I like him a lot. 🙂
Bloody hell, how do you beat a side such as Man utd with such tremendous amounts of sheer luck?? It’s comical.
You play your game. Anything can happen in 90 mins and as long as we don’t make stupid mistakes I can see no problem why we can’t match them and/or beat them…also Ole’s luck has to run out soon.
And have you ever known us to not make stupid mistakes??
Don’t play Mustafi. With Mustafi, Man U will get luckier and ours will run out
He’s avery good player and will get better like wine over the years.
Just read the MU heavy wt could be a real threat with his 2 goals.
If Arsenal played like they did against the spuds,there is no reason why
he could not be stifled.
Hopefully Arsenal can win .Its about time the Norwegian loses a epl game
and about time too.
Start elneny instead and rest both xhaka and guenduozi
What can I say? I love our young buck Guendouzinho!
Controversy: “I always fight for my teen.”
Great potential….falls over too easily. Then again when I first saw Cesc I turned to my mate and said – “too slow – will never make it”. So what do I know!?
I didn’t see as much of the team live at the time, so only saw a young Fabregas scoring in the League Cup and immediately thought he was going to be the BEST MIDFIELDER OF ALL TIME. (I also thought similar thoughts about Nicklas Bendtner, and look how that turned out!)
I think that’s the equivalent of watching YouTube compilation videos nowadays.
His attitude has such a positive effect on the pitch too. For too long we only had sideways midfielders. Matteo always looks to move himself or the ball forwards.
The biggest compliment i can pay him, and Torrierra for that matter, is other than Xhaka i really can’t remember who we had playing in midfield last season. They’ve both fitted in that well and become that important to us.
Thank God. There’s a time we had only Song and Denilson to choose from.
LOL