Since arriving at Arsenal as a relative unknown, the trajectory of Matteo Guendouzi’s career has only gone in one direction.
Few had heard of the midfielder when Arsenal’s former head of recruitment Sven Mislintat plucked him from the French second division in 2018 but now, less than two years later, he is widely regarded as one of the best young players in the world.
Only Alex Iwobi, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Lucas Torreira and Alexandre Lacazette made more appearances than Guendouzi during his debut season with the Gunners and his performances even saw him in the running for the prestigious Golden Boy award, which recognises Europe’s best player under the age of 21.
Although he lost out to Joao Felix, just the fact that he made the shortlist demonstrated how far Guendouzi had come in just a short space of time.
It had been a remarkable rise to prominence, one which had featured barely a bump in the road – but the 20-year-old is now facing a significant obstacle for the first time in his fledgling Arsenal career after a disagreement with head coach Mikel Arteta during the recent trip to Dubai.
Guendouzi and the Spaniard clashed during training, with Arteta unhappy at the young Frenchman’s attitude towards the session, and the argument continued back at the team hotel.
Exactly what went on is not clear but it led to Guendouzi being left out of the squad to face Newcastle on Sunday in the Premier League.
“I just do my team selection and [choose] the squad in regards to how they train, how they play, how they behave," Arteta said when asked about Guendouzi's absence and whether it was down to a disciplinary issue.
“It was about the way we train, the way we play, the way we live. I want the best players for the game and I select them in relation to what I see on a daily basis.”
Dropping Guendouzi from the squad to face Newcastle was a clear message from Arteta, who has made it known from the moment he first walked through the door that what he expects from his players in terms of attitude and application is non-negotiable.
Guendouzi is the first player to fall short of those expectations and he suffered the consequences, although he has been included in the travelling squad to face Olympiacos in the Europa League on Thursday night.
How he reacts to this spat will go a long way to showing whether he has a long-term future under Arteta.
Guendouzi had already fallen slightly down the pecking order following the Spaniard’s appointment as Unai Emery's permanent successor, starting just two of Arteta's eight league games in charge.
Arteta is not a man who will have his authority questioned, as has been made clear time and time again by several figures within the squad.
“He demands a lot of things,” admitted Lacazette. “I wouldn’t say he is strict, but he knows what he wants and when it is not good, we know that.”
When Arteta was confirmed as the new Gunners coach, there were questions raised about how the fans and some of the senior players would view him, given his age and lack of experience.
It was something he acknowledged himself, stating the only way he would be able to prove he was ready for such a big job was by showing it over time.
So, he will have been well aware that the squad will have been closely monitoring how he dealt with the Guendouzi situation and they now know that he will not take being questioned lightly.
For Guendouzi, the challenge now is to respond in a way that shows he is prepared to fight for his place not just in the team, but in the squad.
Under Emery, it was almost a given that he would be involved, usually as a starter but if not as substitute at some point during proceedings. But that is clearly no longer the case.
Arteta has predominantly gone with the midfield pairing of Grant Xhaka and Torreira since taking over in December but, on Sunday, it was Dani Ceballos that got the nod alongside Xhaka.
The Real Madrid loanee has been out of the picture for some time now due to injury but he returned against Newcastle and delivered what was arguably his best performance since his full debut against Burnley in August.
Arteta wants a midfield that can control the game and Ceballos’ quality on the ball not only allowed Arsenal to dictate the tempo of the match but it also helped bring the best out of Mesut Ozil.
Ceballos’ first instinct was always to move the ball forward into the space where Ozil was operating, whereas when Guendouzi is on the pitch he tends to favour the easier option when looking for a pass.
That’s not a criticism of the young Frenchman, who has been a revelation since arriving from Lorient, but there’s no doubt he will need to develop his game if he wants to be a key player under Arteta.
Guendouzi has always been at his best when Arsenal are chasing a game. Arguably his best performance for the Gunners came during the 2-2 draw with Tottenham earlier in the season when he inspired the fightback from 2-0 down. He was also impressive when Arsenal came from behind with 10 men to beat Aston Villa.
He seems to come to life when there is chaos around him and he has the freedom to do what he wants, but chaos is the last thing Arteta wants in his midfield. He wants structure, composure and most importantly discipline.
And if those demands aren’t met, on the pitch or in training, you will find yourself on the outside looking in.
Guendouzi has found that out the hard way. Now it’s up to him to show he has the desire to force his way back into the fold long-term.
Vedbioyz
1
Arsenal is going to make top four
Yaybcel
2
Golden boy?? What a joke . Thank you Arteta !
lord_henry-14
0
It seems you dont know what you are doing did he have tackle like xhaka and torreria
he is only 20
lord_henry-14
0
It seems you dont know what you are doing did he have tackle like xhaka and torreria
plus xhaka is 27 and torriea is 24
lord_henry-14
0
It seems you dont know what you are doing did he have tackle like xhaka and torreria
can torreia and xhaka pass like him can torreia and xhaka dribble like him they both disrespected arsenal
juweluy
0
support guendouzi he is only 20 give him confidence he has character could be a great leader he is much better than xhaka,torreia and kolasinac just give him time he got dropped for only one match
It seems you dont know what you are doing did he have tackle like xhaka and torreria
hohbcklnst
1
Bos is Bo's grow up and keep going goudozi whatever your name we love you
Yazbepr
0
great write up
Yazbepr
0
the season aint over yet. lets cross the bridge first.
Jobacekn
1
compare your players with united players and they flop. I've noticed since. iheanacho was compared to rashford,he floped, Solanke was compared to rashford too, Abraham was compared to rashford,he is already declining, last season odoi was compared to rashford,he's now floping, guendouzi was compared to pogba and tominay, now he is🤐, I know where matinelli vs greenwood is going to😂. Gabi is really a good player, don't let's compare them now.
better he put his asssssssss,, down
Romadopuy
1
that's good for me
Maymnosuz
1
believe in arteta selection best player 1st eleven
sims123
0
people were comparing rashford to Ronaldo , look what happened ..hahah...and no body is comparing with pogba??who is pogba by the way. I don't know him...he is just trying to express his frustation...
no comparisons bro, we meant he was the new ronaldo, we all know cr7 is fucking better.
Kuwbdluy
1
He needs a kick up the ass and that's what Arteta is doing
dopdinrty
0
compare your players with united players and they flop. I've noticed since. iheanacho was compared to rashford,he floped, Solanke was compared to rashford too, Abraham was compared to rashford,he is already declining, last season odoi was compared to rashford,he's now floping, guendouzi was compared to pogba and tominay, now he is🤐, I know where matinelli vs greenwood is going to😂. Gabi is really a good player, don't let's compare them now.
people were comparing rashford to Ronaldo , look what happened ..hahah...and no body is comparing with pogba??who is pogba by the way. I don't know him...he is just trying to express his frustation...
dopdinrty
0
it's not about the age. it's about letting them know if you ain't playing well, you will be dropped...that's it....he is demanding more
sotcepr
0
go with this fixture
ManUtdRed
0
🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈 I think he is looking to replace him with a bald midfielder
Delph😁😁
haobcilrst
3
Mourinho once said it's not good for young players to have regular first team start in games because they grow big headed and stop developing on their game. So such kind of action against the kid shows him that it's actually his responsibility to behave as expected
welsfargo
1
Maybe as he has spent a lot of time with Pep,Walker,David Silva,Fernandinho he just don't like players with long hairs😁😁
🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈 I think he is looking to replace him with a bald midfielder
Kingarigtsen14
1
if that's true than I'm very disappointed in him. Even the senior players like luiz and aubameyang respects the manager and his tactics, don't know why he was acting in that manner
musbisz
1
Goudozi is young ND still developing in that area. He has to work on ball management and stop giving away cheap fouls
sims123
0
baseless analysis
lol, simple truth
sims123
0
When pogba left man utd was he a superstar? It's another team that made him who he is and mind you guendouzi isn't a flop
he was good then but not good enough to enter our very good first team.
Sapimopu
0
and why has he included him for today's match, u people talks false too much
Sapimopu
0
compare your players with united players and they flop. I've noticed since. iheanacho was compared to rashford,he floped, Solanke was compared to rashford too, Abraham was compared to rashford,he is already declining, last season odoi was compared to rashford,he's now floping, guendouzi was compared to pogba and tominay, now he is🤐, I know where matinelli vs greenwood is going to😂. Gabi is really a good player, don't let's compare them now.
baseless analysis
Bomcdnoptz
1
Guoendouzi is the only person that can help Gouendouzi, by been cool headed, to the coaching staffs.
SteveUG
0
compare your players with united players and they flop. I've noticed since. iheanacho was compared to rashford,he floped, Solanke was compared to rashford too, Abraham was compared to rashford,he is already declining, last season odoi was compared to rashford,he's now floping, guendouzi was compared to pogba and tominay, now he is🤐, I know where matinelli vs greenwood is going to😂. Gabi is really a good player, don't let's compare them now.
When pogba left man utd was he a superstar? It's another team that made him who he is and mind you guendouzi isn't a flop
ManUtdRed
3
Maybe as he has spent a lot of time with Pep,Walker,David Silva,Fernandinho he just don't like players with long hairs😁😁
fueabeimsu
0
stupid media just talk too much
no
zohnopty
1
Emery his dad has gone, though he is still a young player, but he offers nothing to the team.
sims123
0
mctominay who ??and btw guendouzi is not a flop where was your mctominay and pogba at an age of 20
you are right pogba at the age of 22-23 was already a superstar,we will see where guendouzi will be at the age of 23, tominay was 21 was he entered the 1st team and has been impressive. the age is only the time they got the opportunity.
lord_henry-14
2
support guendouzi he is only 20 give him confidence he has character could be a great leader he is much better than xhaka,torreia and kolasinac just give him time he got dropped for only one match
lord_henry-14
1
compare your players with united players and they flop. I've noticed since. iheanacho was compared to rashford,he floped, Solanke was compared to rashford too, Abraham was compared to rashford,he is already declining, last season odoi was compared to rashford,he's now floping, guendouzi was compared to pogba and tominay, now he is🤐, I know where matinelli vs greenwood is going to😂. Gabi is really a good player, don't let's compare them now.
mctominay who ??and btw guendouzi is not a flop where was your mctominay and pogba at an age of 20
sims123
1
compare your players with united players and they flop. I've noticed since. iheanacho was compared to rashford,he floped, Solanke was compared to rashford too, Abraham was compared to rashford,he is already declining, last season odoi was compared to rashford,he's now floping, guendouzi was compared to pogba and tominay, now he is🤐, I know where matinelli vs greenwood is going to😂. Gabi is really a good player, don't let's compare them now.
Apdihakem
4
As a United fan, I am loving how Arteta is managing Arsenal, He isn't giving a special protection for any player, His selection isn't based on anything other than "Who ever works hard will be selected", If the board supports him in the market and the supporters have a tolerance then he can build a real team.
miacelmoru
5
best coach arteta
lord_henry-14
2
stupid media just talk too much