Unai Emery praised Matteo Guendouzi for the control he exerted on the North London derby as the Frenchman delivered a man of the match performance and made a decisive assist in the 2-2 draw at the Emirates.
Sp*rs took advantage of lax Arsenal defending to establish a two goal advantage, Christian Eriksen netting on 10 minutes and Harry Kane converting a penalty, but the visitors were pegged back by Alex Lacazette’s fine strike in first half stoppage time.
A brilliant pass by Guendouzi then set up Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on 71 minutes as the Gunners wrestled control of proceedings, however, despite a frantic finale the home side couldn’t find a winner.
After the game, Emery was asked about Guendouzi’s composure in midfield. “He’s very young but he’s progressing,” said the Spaniard.
“Last year was amazing for his progress, taking confidence, taking rhythm and knowing the Premier League. This year he’s starting to give us one step more tactically with the ball.
“He gives us a lot of control and also the combinations for us mean he’s very important in the team. He’s one of the key players to do that.
“He’s working to get a balance defensively and also working on his body to get stronger in the situations needed in the Premier League. Today was one step more but he’s very demanding of himself and we’re progressing with him.
“When he’s playing like today, I prefer to have the balance. When he’s playing maybe a match with less performance, I want to help him to achieve the next step going ahead.”
A big pat on the back for Guendouzi. Still only 20, he was brilliant today. Here’s hoping he can keep up this level of performance in the coming months.
Let’s all be honest. Emery spotted Guendouzi had performances like that in his locker long before any of us did…. Credit where credit’s due.
Its baffling when Emery selects and Xhaka together. Maybe he is trying to balance youth and talent on one side with experience and brain-fart on the other!
I hope Willock and Ceballos get more chances ahead of Xhaka.
Torreira, Guendouzi and Ceballos at home and Torreira, Guendouzi and Willock away would be my choice.
Ceballos has enough bite to him that I think he can play home & away. I really hope we find a way to sign him as he looks like he could be a real player
He’s indeed a Real player, unless we convince them to sell, of course
Do you think Ceballos can’t start away games based on one performance at Anfield?
I think it’s unfair to judge a player based on one performance against arguably the best team in Europe at the peak of their powers away from home.
Willock and Ceb are not deep lying midfielders. we have only one of those… untill we replace him, he’s playing every game.
Experience is only helpful because you can learn from it. The Swiss does not learn.
A talented young guy for sure and maybe even the future captain ?
Definitely better than that shit for brains Xhaka
Liked that moment after one of the goals when he was working up the crowd… Just want to see what a midfield looks like without Xhaka.
My boy! Kid is getting better by the game he needs to be more daring with his offensive passing like the pass to Auba , he has it in his locker this team will be very dangerous if we can hit our lethal strikers with direct balls.
if he keeps this form up in 12 months time he’ll be one of the top top young prospects in world football
Guendouzi, Torreira, Willock, ESR that’s a quite talented bunch we have for Future. Need ESR to get in this squad, hope he gets back soon.
Seems to put in big performances against the bigger sides.. Was for my mind the best player on the pitch against city last year too.
Guendouzi is class, he’ll have the type of game 20yr olds have from time to time, but he’s going all the way to the top.
Emery is right about improving him physically, he’s not great in the challenge, and occasionally not quick enough in moving the ball, but he’s definitely a player we can build around, it’s imperative we tie him down ASAP
Ridiculous performance from Guendouzi, pure filth. He’s going to become some player in the future.
MOTM for me. Chris Sutton (the plonker) not sure what he was watching. Something about Torreira being fantastic. Guendouzi for me creates that extra dynamism always playing the ball a couple of feet ahead of himself to nick space. Allover the pitch today and our energy level told on them second half with really only one team in it (even if we rode our luck on some of their breakaways late on) Superb vision for the assist for Auba. Again, impressed with Willock recently but good to remember Guendouzi not much older and he will keep getting better. Midfield in… Read more »
Tru dat
I think that after Holding comes back we could try David Luiz as the deeper midfilder.
Guendouzzi could have had 2 goals today but was denied by Kane in the first half and Loris in the second.The lad is developing very fast into a complete player.
Best I.ve seen him play. Really enjoyed that. But I think he has looked good from season start TBF. Last season he was a bit hit or miss, so very happy to see him kicking on
He is average. Was poor at Anfield and other than the assist not much better at the Emirates
Just watch the game again bro
And you are some clown-troll hybrid
Emery needs to address the xhaka situation. He cannot be a captain and he shouldnt be at arsenal. With bellerin coming back i really do hope maitland niles is given a chance to play in midfield
Our midfield should consist of torriera and guendozhi – with niles and willock as options also
In front of them – it should be ozil or ceballos
If ozil or ceballos are not selected then niles or willock should play.
Xhaka should have been moved on
Amazing performance. No pressure, but if he can keep that level of vision and execution of pass, then we are looking at a cesc type player. He’s his own man though and I’m so excited to see where this goes!
Ever since he started against man shitty last season it was clear to me what he had in his locker and what I saw was mind blowing. When we didn’t buy a permanent replacement for Ramsey it was clear to me that Emery sees it too. He owes Emery a lot for giving him all the chances he needed to progress, payback time is coming and I’m licking my lips in pure delightful relish. I’ll say this again, I can’t wait for Niles to take Xhaka’s place in our midfield, then you’ll see how good a team we have. I’m… Read more »