Amid flying Marseilles start, Matteo Guendouzi’s Arsenal future made clear
Guendouzi impresses in Marseilles
Matteo Guendouzi has had a mixed career thus far. Hitting the headlines after joining Arsenal, he fell out of favour when Unai Emery was replaced by Mikel Arteta.
The Frenchman spent last season on loan at Hertha Berlin, but endured another mixed campaign. This season, however, he has found his feet under Jorge Sampaoli at Marseilles.
Mattéo Guendouzi’s game by numbers vs. Lorient:
100% long ball accuracy
100% take-on success
78 touches
61 passes attempted
57 passes completed
13 ball recoveries
8 duels won
5 take-ons
3 shots
3 crosses
2 chances created
2 shots on target
2 goals
1 assistWow. 🥵 pic.twitter.com/Z8fkJd99In
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 17, 2021
He impressed particularly against his old side Lorient, netting twice and providing an assist in a brilliant all around performance as he has been deployed further forward in his new boss’s all guns blazing system.
Guendouzi to stay in Marseilles
There was speculation that the Frenchman may be returning to Arsenal, with Mikel Arteta refusing to close the door to the idea, saying:
For right now, he is gone for the season, and I think he is having a really good spell in Marseilles, and it is part of the plan that we made with him, and he has continued with his development, and we will make a decision at the end of the year.
However, the door has firmly been closed elsewhere, with reporters both in England and France confirming that he will be staying at Marseilles permanently.
Remarkable how much conversation there is around Matteo Guendouzi’s future when Arsenal’s chief executive has already said there’s an obligation to buy in the loan agreement with Marseille.
— James Benge (@jamesbenge) October 23, 2021
For the avoidance of doubt – Mattéo Guendouzi’s €11m buy option will be activated automatically by Marseille to sign him from Arsenal at the end of the season. (L’Éq)
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) October 23, 2021
With both sides now saying that a deal is already set for the summer, can the Arsenal chapter finally be closed on Guendouzi’s career.
