Matteo Guendouzi has been selected by France after Blaise Matuidi pulled out with a rib injury.
The reigning World champions face Moldova on Thursday at the Stade de France before taking on Albania in Tirana on Sunday.
It’s the second time our uncapped midfielder has been called-up at late notice for European Championship qualifiers by Didier Deschamps.
In September, Guendouzi revealed his surprise at being asked to step up from the under-21s for Les Bleus’ games against Azerbaijan and Slovakia. He didn’t get a chance to make his debut on that occasion, but Deschamps did speak positively about him.
“He’s the modern midfielder, box to box as they say there, with a lot of power and technical quality too,” said Deschamps.
He added: “What I expect from young people is that they bring this freshness, this dynamism. He is a very young player but with a very big potential.”
Guendouzi is the only member of the Arsenal squad to be included in the France squad.
If only Deschamps could teach him how to be a real midfielder. Matteo, whom i rate a lot, was crap on saturday.
Come on, mate, he’s 20-years-old. Yes, he’s not been great in his last couple of outings, but up until recently he had been one of our most consistent performers – again, at the tender of TWENTY. I think he’s doing pretty fucking well, all things considered.
The next Arsenal “fan” whipping boy!!
Exactly. There’s always the next one. To be fair, that’s a problem at all football clubs where a section of problematic fans will always find someone to blame.
Is France that short of quality midfielders?
I know this is meant as a joke, but turn it around and it really indicates something. Deschamps, who has an amazing collection of midfielders to choose from, must think that he can get a performance from Guendouzi that comes closer to fulfilling his obvious talent and that helps France win. Whereas, we only see that talent in flashes (in “moments,” if we can still use that word) free-floating, with no structure, mostly unconnected to an overall plan.
He’s one of our better players so good on him. Not sure why he’s getting so much stick considering he’s only 20 and shows more maturity than the rest of our midfield put together. He’s one to watch for sure.
Because Xhaka isn’t playing anymore someone has to step up and take the abuse from the so called fans whose main reason for watching football is giving players shit so they can feel better about themselves.
In my opinion this kid is our best centre midfielder by far. Imo he is the closest player to Patrick Vieira. Imagine him playing alongside a Proper strong athletic defensive midfielder like Ndidi and then given license to be a box to box player he could do so well. Give the captains armband after auba and Laca. I really think he’s a bigger leader then Bellerin.
I hope he plays, but I hope he gets a rest too. Win win, I suppose.
It may just be my red and white tinted glasses but I think this lad is going to be top of world in the midfield one day.
He certainly seems to have the attitude and mentality for it.
Agreed. Especially if he can add more goals and assists.
He’s a decent player if some of the fans here remember he is barely 20. Ditto Willock. BUT the issue is most of these fans believe Xhaka is a problem and we would be better off without him, be more dynamic. We lack midfield balance and control even with Xhaka out and Torreira AND Guendouzi in. That should say something to most sane people except Arsenal fans who prefer their own fantasy. We have NOT solved midfield bc Sanlehi far from having a decent summer had neglected to address an issue outstanding since the Wenger era when Santi went out… Read more »
The midfield issue / too few assists How many goals and assists has Matteo , who I like got ? Stats show David Luiz is most successful at through balls stat. This season. Martin Known said footbsll a simple game . I get the ball I pass vieria – who passes bergkamp who pass Henry =goal K- vieria – bergkamp – Henry =goal Other examples Sagna – fabagas- nasri – Rvp=goal Bfg- santi -ozil – Sanchez These days – Luiz – (goundouzi / torrenta /Xhaka ) – ( who!) – alex.l or pea.= goal Pepe no assists open play –… Read more »
This call up surprises me because I don’t think he is playing well. I saw Tielemans (might have been someone else) turn him on the halfway line and, while carrying the ball, just run away from him! Over 20-25 meters he just opened up a gap on our deepest midfielder. I was absolutely shocked by how slooow his recovery speed is. When Clive on AVP speaks his mind finally about which players the fanbase overrates, eyes will be opened. After the match in midweek he previewed this and critiqued Ceballos, who is injured at the moment. Read between the lines:… Read more »
He’s been our best player this season.
Fully deserved – easily our most consistent player this season albeit within a team of mediocre performers