Matteo Guendouzi insists his Arsenal career is not over after being frozen out by manager Mikel Arteta.
The 21-year-old left the Emirates Stadium on transfer deadline day, joining Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin on a season-long loan deal.
Having initially impressed at Arsenal following his move from Lorient in 2018, the France Under-21 international had not featured for the Gunners this season.
He has not kicked a ball for Arteta's side since a post-match clash with Brighton striker Neal Maupay after Arsenal had lost to the Seagulls on June 20.
The Spaniard made Guendouzi work with a fitness trainer away from the first team for two weeks after he had shown an unwillingness to apologise for the incident at The Amex.
This was not the first time Arteta had disciplined the Frenchman.
Guendouzi was excluded from the matchday squad against Newcastle United in February due to his behaviour on a warm weather training camp in Dubai. Arsenal beat the Magpies 4-0.
The player departed for Germany in the final hours of the transfer market but, speaking after captaining France's Under-21s to a 5-0 win over Liechtenstein on Thursday night, Guendouzi said his time at Arsenal is not at an end.
'It is not that, I just really needed to play this year, a new challenge,' he told reporters.
'That was the most important thing for me. I am still young, I am only 21, so playing time was the top priority for me.
'So Hertha Berlin, I know that I will be able to express myself in a magnificent league.
'They are a very good club with big ambitions. So, I have left to go on loan there for a year, so I will give everything I can for this club.
'I needed playing time, I need to play, I needed to enjoy myself on the pitch and that is what I am going to do this year.'
Arsenal technical director Edu revealed earlier in the week that Guendouzi - as well as Lucas Torreira who joined Atletico Madrid on a similar loan agreement - had asked to leave over the summer.
'The market situation was really strange,' he told Arsenal.com.
'It was difficult to manage well because nobody was 100 per cent comfortable to do the deals. Even loan players or to swap players was even more difficult. I think we did it quite well.
'If you see Lucas Torreira, if you see Matteo I think for them it was really really important to move, play more games, be more comfortable and happier because both came to me and Mikel to talk about the possibility to go to have more games and play more minutes.'
Another player who looks set to depart on loan is defender William Saliba.
The 19-year-old saw a deadline-day loan move to former club Saint-Etienne fall through but the PA news agency understands Arsenal are actively seeking a loan move to a Sky Bet Championship club.
Saliba joined Arsenal from Saint-Etienne last summer for a reported £27million - but the agreement also meant he would remain with the French side for the 2019-20 campaign.
A number of injury problems, coupled with the cancellation of the Ligue 1 season following the coronavirus outbreak, meant Saliba's final year with the club did not go as planned as he made just 17 appearances.
With Arteta keen for Saliba to get game time and a 'year of transition', a loan to the Championship - with a domestic transfer window open until October 16 - is a growing possibility.
It is understood Arsenal will take care over the choice of destination, highlighting style of play, location and potential manager he would be working under as key factors - with Norwich, Brentford and Watford reportedly among potential suitors.
Beyalnorz
1
this boy has only done one single mistake and lots of people are already against with boy. they could have spoken with him once, not to punish him! he is still young, later the same people will again blame Arsenal board after if they see the boy performing outside. I see nothing wrong with this boy. Xhaxa once insulted the fans but only missed 2or3 matches if I'm not mistaken.
U are such a clueless based on your analysis. He has beaten (klopp) Liverpool 3 times out of 4, beaten (pep) city, beaten Man utd and beaten Chelsea and u called that miracle. Arteta took over the he arsenal job and in just 6 months won the FA Cup and community shield. Coach Lampard is 1 year trophy less, Ole of man utd is 3 years trophy less and spurs is 12 years trophy less. I support Barcelona but u re the most idiotic Barca fan.
hatdilmstu
0
I don't know if you like it or not, I like Arteta discipline, In recent football actitude and a good players go hand in hand, if you're a good player and you have bad actitude you can make your team loose by getting red card like what Zz did in world cup final, we never want to see that in football again, That world cup final was the only world cup final some players ever played in their whole career, So don't use your actitude to draw me backward, a mistake is a mistake, I urge guedouzi to keep his actitude in check or else he has to potential to become a word class
Zioainps
0
Mateo you are the best young player
wiwcntuz
0
Change your attitude and learn how to play smart playing not falling down and also gives proper and accurate passes
pukaklnruy
0
1. Hi guys..what's up? My thoughts are that all of the ramblings about the manager forgiving this or that player is naivety. 2.The work at hand demand iron hands not kids gloves...because, the Gunners were far too behind other teams in EPL before Mikel Arteta arrived. 3. So, emotions aren't going to help our situation. It's either we call a spade a spade or else nothing good will happen. Any fan who complains about the way things are going at the Arsenal is either blind or fake fan. 4. Guendouzi was naughty and refused to apologize till date. Ozil, much as we like him has refused to up his work rate in training. So, what do you expect the coach to do? Play players for playing sake...it is never going to happen. 5. Gone are the days when players were pampered by Wenger. And for ten years they cut our expectations short. 6. A serious minded coach in the person of Arteta needs serious minded players to get us were we belong. 👉Good morning, stay blessed and stay safe.
Welldone well spoken
Jokdenry
0
Someone tell Guendouzi that talent, discipline and attitude go hand in hand. At this young age he need to humble down and be guided. what's so hard with apologizing. that's pure ego that will take him nowhere. if he doesn't change his talent will rot. we've seen others.
i agree with ur position; Guendouzi is just like Ozil. Any human being who headily refuses or cannot say* sorry* certainly will also find it hard to *Forgive,* such a person cannot expect God's grace,blessing or mercy. An athlete needs humility to succeed talent alone is not enough , hurty nd arrogant behaviour are a sure road to failure, so hopefully, Guendouzi would take full opportunity of his loan at Hertha-Berlin to redeem himself nd improve on his interpersonal relationship nd emulate top players were though on top of d game exude humility, respect for superiors, nd friendly disposition to all . Wishing him d best of luck as he wished himself.shalom!!!
Laacdrstz
1
1. Hi guys..what's up? My thoughts are that all of the ramblings about the manager forgiving this or that player is naivety. 2.The work at hand demand iron hands not kids gloves...because, the Gunners were far too behind other teams in EPL before Mikel Arteta arrived. 3. So, emotions aren't going to help our situation. It's either we call a spade a spade or else nothing good will happen. Any fan who complains about the way things are going at the Arsenal is either blind or fake fan. 4. Guendouzi was naughty and refused to apologize till date. Ozil, much as we like him has refused to up his work rate in training. So, what do you expect the coach to do? Play players for playing sake...it is never going to happen. 5. Gone are the days when players were pampered by Wenger. And for ten years they cut our expectations short. 6. A serious minded coach in the person of Arteta needs serious minded players to get us were we belong. 👉Good morning, stay blessed and stay safe.
well spoken bro
TNSB
0
definitely your Arsenal career is not over but you just need to improve in playing and change your attitude.
Vaeaekuz
0
1. Hi guys..what's up? My thoughts are that all of the ramblings about the manager forgiving this or that player is naivety. 2.The work at hand demand iron hands not kids gloves...because, the Gunners were far too behind other teams in EPL before Mikel Arteta arrived. 3. So, emotions aren't going to help our situation. It's either we call a spade a spade or else nothing good will happen. Any fan who complains about the way things are going at the Arsenal is either blind or fake fan. 4. Guendouzi was naughty and refused to apologize till date. Ozil, much as we like him has refused to up his work rate in training. So, what do you expect the coach to do? Play players for playing sake...it is never going to happen. 5. Gone are the days when players were pampered by Wenger. And for ten years they cut our expectations short. 6. A serious minded coach in the person of Arteta needs serious minded players to get us were we belong. 👉Good morning, stay blessed and stay safe.
That is exactly what all these fake (Ozil) Arsenal fans don't realize. This is a new chapter
wiuklostz
1
Discipline is the only thing Guendouzi is or was lacking at Arsenal. Improve that, and I mean particularly on the pitch positionally, and for me he will turn matches and create chances with every touch he has. Top man.
daybdisyz
4
Someone tell Guendouzi that talent, discipline and attitude go hand in hand. At this young age he need to humble down and be guided. what's so hard with apologizing. that's pure ego that will take him nowhere. if he doesn't change his talent will rot. we've seen others.
fezaemost
1
and please Arteta haven't achieved anything yet. FA Cup is nothing, he finished on 8th position last season because of his stupid selections. he lost the matches that he could have won. He is facing tough fixtures and he already lost to Liverpool and again because of his stupid selection. he believes in miracles which never happened in his favor. people are praising him too much, let's wait after this tough fixture so people can start praising him. for my side, I don't think if Arteta is fit to coach Arsenal, my assistant yeah
fezaemost
0
this boy has only done one single mistake and lots of people are already against with boy. they could have spoken with him once, not to punish him! he is still young, later the same people will again blame Arsenal board after if they see the boy performing outside. I see nothing wrong with this boy. Xhaxa once insulted the fans but only missed 2or3 matches if I'm not mistaken.
litcdlstyz
0
1. Hi guys..what's up? My thoughts are that all of the ramblings about the manager forgiving this or that player is naivety. 2.The work at hand demand iron hands not kids gloves...because, the Gunners were far too behind other teams in EPL before Mikel Arteta arrived. 3. So, emotions aren't going to help our situation. It's either we call a spade a spade or else nothing good will happen. Any fan who complains about the way things are going at the Arsenal is either blind or fake fan. 4. Guendouzi was naughty and refused to apologize till date. Ozil, much as we like him has refused to up his work rate in training. So, what do you expect the coach to do? Play players for playing sake...it is never going to happen. 5. Gone are the days when players were pampered by Wenger. And for ten years they cut our expectations short. 6. A serious minded coach in the person of Arteta needs serious minded players to get us were we belong. 👉Good morning, stay blessed and stay safe.
You no football bro, been long you have been an arsenal fan.....when I see one I can recognize them. Greetings fam✊
¥™onah
1
we all love him and support him but he need to work on his attitude to fit in arsenal team. Good luck boy, hope u come back more humble
Maybcnost
8
1. Hi guys..what's up? My thoughts are that all of the ramblings about the manager forgiving this or that player is naivety. 2.The work at hand demand iron hands not kids gloves...because, the Gunners were far too behind other teams in EPL before Mikel Arteta arrived. 3. So, emotions aren't going to help our situation. It's either we call a spade a spade or else nothing good will happen. Any fan who complains about the way things are going at the Arsenal is either blind or fake fan. 4. Guendouzi was naughty and refused to apologize till date. Ozil, much as we like him has refused to up his work rate in training. So, what do you expect the coach to do? Play players for playing sake...it is never going to happen. 5. Gone are the days when players were pampered by Wenger. And for ten years they cut our expectations short. 6. A serious minded coach in the person of Arteta needs serious minded players to get us were we belong. 👉Good morning, stay blessed and stay safe.
dee_59
2
With right attitude he would have been a starter at Arsenal, but look now..
Ashx
1
Why will you sell one of your best scorer to a rival team if you're trying to be as good as they are or even better, money will come if you put your team in a position to compete and move up, Crystal Palace should sell Zaha, Villa Grealish, now Everton Calvert-Lewin, hell no this is not a farmers league where one team wins every year forget about the top six how about a top ten or a top twelve, keep your top players add other talents especially younger players, why should all the best players be on three to four teams make your team competitive and let these so-called great coaches earn the money that they are being paid to coach
Layiknsy
0
Ask Ozil to repeat this quote “I needed playing time, I need to play, I needed to enjoy myself on the pitch and that is what I am going to do this year.” That lazy 350 MO10 can’t say the same as Mateo
u re a full
lu30
0
Ask Ozil to repeat this quote “I needed playing time, I need to play, I needed to enjoy myself on the pitch and that is what I am going to do this year.” That lazy 350 MO10 can’t say the same as Mateo
Leave Ozil alone
Anti786
0
He's desperate for likes
Lol! Me?? No like bandit here 🖕🏻🖕🏻🤘🏻
Anti786
0
He's desperate for likes
🤣🤡🤡
Anti786
0
you are the one who called him headless chicken
READ!!! I stated he's 'young and dumb'. Same thing, Princess.
lord_henry-14
0
Moreover, we cant change the whole squad immediately. its gonna take some time. But definitely, he can do a job for now.
we can change the squad immediately.Chelsea and Tottenham had done that in recent years.Leicester done that in two years.
Sochima92
1
Yeah his sht performance against Liverpool this year.What about guendouzi??He was the one who was controlling our midfield in start of last season.Arsenal plays on side ways and backways they depend on center backs ,fullbacks and wingers for creativity there is a reason we don't attack from center because if we are going to do that he will lose the ball in important areas and that could cost us games.So stop backing that bang average player
Moreover, we cant change the whole squad immediately. its gonna take some time. But definitely, he can do a job for now.
Sochima92
1
Yeah his sht performance against Liverpool this year.What about guendouzi??He was the one who was controlling our midfield in start of last season.Arsenal plays on side ways and backways they depend on center backs ,fullbacks and wingers for creativity there is a reason we don't attack from center because if we are going to do that he will lose the ball in important areas and that could cost us games.So stop backing that bang average player
Lolz... I'm not backing him. Just trying to point out why Arteta still picks him despite throwing off his armband. For me, I think that Xhaka is average too.
lord_henry-14
1
Xhaka performance speaks for himself... moreover it's under a different manager.
Yeah his sht performance against Liverpool this year.What about guendouzi??He was the one who was controlling our midfield in start of last season.Arsenal plays on side ways and backways they depend on center backs ,fullbacks and wingers for creativity there is a reason we don't attack from center because if we are going to do that he will lose the ball in important areas and that could cost us games.So stop backing that bang average player
Sochima92
1
ok mate 👍 then why xhaka got away after he told fans to fk off??Why Mesut Ozil got away after what he did that in uel final against Chelsea?Why Mesut Ozil played 10 straight games after he throws his gloves on fans??
Xhaka performance speaks for himself... moreover it's under a different manager.
lord_henry-14
1
This might sound odd... But Im not sure if he will be in the squad next season. Arteta I'm seeing is a no-nonsense man and Guendonzi is too arrogant. Not yet sure if he has learnt his lessons...because I didn't hear where he publicly apologized for his acts. We all can have our feelings but im just being factual.
ok mate 👍 then why xhaka got away after he told fans to fk off??Why Mesut Ozil got away after what he did that in uel final against Chelsea?Why Mesut Ozil played 10 straight games after he throws his gloves on fans??
Sochima92
4
This might sound odd... But Im not sure if he will be in the squad next season. Arteta I'm seeing is a no-nonsense man and Guendonzi is too arrogant. Not yet sure if he has learnt his lessons...because I didn't hear where he publicly apologized for his acts. We all can have our feelings but im just being factual.
10MESSILIONEL
0
you are the one who called him headless chicken
He's desperate for likes
Rucdeikty
6
Ask Ozil to repeat this quote “I needed playing time, I need to play, I needed to enjoy myself on the pitch and that is what I am going to do this year.” That lazy 350 MO10 can’t say the same as Mateo
JMJ12
1
cool
lord_henry-14
1
He needed this kick in the ass, he is a nobody yet in the football world.His actions towards Maupay and Arteta prove that he needs to grow up . I think Arteta is a genuis , Guendouzi will come back to Arsenal with something to probe next season
He is a genius who take both guendouzi and torreia out from the club but never point a finger on bellerin xhaka and elneny
lord_henry-14
5
Mikel Arteta can forgive xhaka,elneny, Luiz,leno for there mistakes but not guendouzi.I think I the only one here who backs him.He was our best midfielder last year.I love him always rated him till this day.Good luck guendouzi.You have done more than what Mesut Ozil haven't done in 8 years and xhaka haven't done in 5 years.You are better than both of them
lord_henry-14
1
I'm still proud of him. He's young and dumb but his heart is with the Arsenal 💪🏻
you are the one who called him headless chicken
Gunners4ever❤
3
I want him to be back in the fray at the start of next season. He was completely out of order to mock a fellow professional over his wages and grab his throat on the pitch and he was rightly disciplined by us. But I believe he has served his punishment and should have apologised to the gaffer Arteta for the incident by now. I hope he gets regular minutes at Hertha Berlin as planned and make a strong case for a starting spot with us next season and beyond. There is a player inside him and I have a strong feeling he will show everyone once again why he was highly rated before he was frozen out from our first team. Good luck Mattéo, enjoy yourself in Germany and come back to the Emirates as a better and MORE HUMBLE player. I'll be watching you. We Arsenal fans got your back❤👊
Anti786
3
I'm still proud of him. He's young and dumb but his heart is with the Arsenal 💪🏻
tamcdkmst
1
He needed this kick in the ass, he is a nobody yet in the football world.His actions towards Maupay and Arteta prove that he needs to grow up . I think Arteta is a genuis , Guendouzi will come back to Arsenal with something to probe next season
prove*
tamcdkmst
5
He needed this kick in the ass, he is a nobody yet in the football world.His actions towards Maupay and Arteta prove that he needs to grow up . I think Arteta is a genuis , Guendouzi will come back to Arsenal with something to probe next season
Jontorr
5
Imaginé him aouar and partey in midfield.
Nhanha892
3
Never give up 🆙