Matteo Guendouzi claims he received a warmer welcome at Lazio than Arsenal

Lazio midfielder Matteo Guendouzi has hit out at Arsenal after his bitter exit from the club last year.

Guendouzi, 24, left Arsenal to join Marseille permanently last summer, and has since been loaned out to Lazio for the current campaign.

He has quickly settled into life in Italy, and has thanked the fans for the support he has received, while also aiming a dig at his former employers in the process.

'The fans’ passion in this city is amazing,' Guendouzi told Italian outlet Il Messaggero.

'I was welcomed warmly, like in Marseille, but more than at Arsenal. I will pay them (Lazio fans) back with interest.'

Guendouzi joined Arsenal in 2018 from French outfit Lorient and established himself as one of the brightest young talents at the Emirates over the next couple of years.

However, his progress quickly stalled after he fell out with manager Mikel Arteta for taunting Brighton players over their wages during a Premier League clash in June 2020.

The French international was subsequently frozen out of the team before sealing a loan move to Hertha Berlin.

Despite impressing in Germany, Guendouzi was unable to force his way back into Arteta's plans following their disagreement and never played for the Gunners again.

He would go on to spend two years at Marseille prior to his switch to Lazio, and is happy working under former Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri at the Stadio Olimpico.

Meanwhile, despite Arsenal's progress since he left, Guendouzi does not appear to miss the English side and has now slammed the atmosphere at the club when he was there.