Matteo Guendouzi makes request to Arsenal board as transfer deadline day nears

Matteo Guendouzi has asked the Arsenal board to allow him to leave the club before the transfer window shuts, according to reports from France.

The midfielder was once tipped to achieve great things with the Gunners but has not featured since the 2-1 defeat to Brighton in June.

An angry altercation with Seagulls star Neal Maupay led Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta to drop Guendouzi from the squad and he has been heavily-linked with a move away from the Emirates since.

Arsenal reportedly offered the 21-year-old to Lyon and Atletico Madrid as part of player-plus-cash deals to secure Houssem Aouar and Thomas Partey respectively.

But both offers were rejected as neither the French nor the Spanish club are interested in the player, who remains in limbo over his future.

With the 5 October transfer deadline looming, Top Mercato claims Guendouzi has taken the initiative over his next move by asking Arsenal chiefs "to let him go".

The report adds his departure from north London relies on a suitable offer being received, as the France U21 international still has two years remaining on his deal.

Guendouzi joined Arsenal from French club Lorient in the summer of 2018 for an initial fee of £7million.

Then-Gunners boss Unai Emery was delighted with the signing at the time, claiming his side beat clubs from across Europe to land the highly-rated teenager's signature.

Guendouzi quickly settled at the Emirates and made 48 appearances across all competitions in his first season, scoring once.

Prior to his heated confrontation with compatriot Maupay at the Amex, he continued to play a significant role in the 2019/20 campaign, making 24 Premier League appearances.

Guendouzi is believed to have already handed in a transfer request, so his latest plea to the Arsenal board reaffirms his intention to leave before the window closes in 11 days' time.