Does Matteo Guendouzi have a future at Arsenal after all?

Does Matteo Guendouzi have a future at Arsenal FC after all?

By Oli Dickson Jefford

In a club full of polarising figures in recent years, very few have been quite as polarising as Matteo Guendouzi.

For some, Guendouzi was a bright young talent who showed natural leadership qualities and could have become a mainstay in the starting XI.

For others he was an erratic, hot-headed and at times reckless footballer who cost Arsenal more than he gave them.

Mikel Arteta decisively thought the latter, shutting the Frenchman out, and several fans seemingly switched to that view as he became a maligned figure at the club.

Loan spells

The 22-year-old spent last season on loan at Hertha Berlin and is now at Marseille, where all of a sudden his career has seemingly been reborn.

Guendouzi scored twice as Marseille beat Lorient 4-1 on Sunday, and he was the club’s Player of the Month in September.

Now, many Arsenal fans believe he may actually have a future at the club after previously casting him to one side - but does he?

He is in good form at the moment and is playing at a higher level than he ever did when playing for the Gunners; the fact he is in his early twenties suggests that he may be able to improve further.

The news that Granit Xhaka will be spending a lengthy period out with injuries has also increased 

many people’s desire to see him back in north London.

Would he get in the current midfield?

In Xhaka’s absence, Arteta has been selecting Albert Sambi Lokonga and Thomas Partey to play in centre midfield and some are suggesting that the Frenchman may be a better alternative.

However, Lokonga and Partey are playing well at the moment and people will hope that they both succeed as well.

Lokonga is also still young and should be given time to improve, especially considering that he has only recently joined the club and needs time to settle. 

Partey is a highly experienced player who is now showing the form that made him an integral part of Atletico Madrid’s squad, and that experience could be invaluable in the club’s European chase. 

With those competing narratives it may be hard for Guendouzi to force his way into the squad, particularly considering Arteta’s past criticisms and decisions surrounding him.

The 22-year-old would also have to compete against a fit Xhaka as well as Mohamed Elneny and Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

However, with Elneny and Maitland-Niles rumoured to be leaving either in January or next summer, there may be a bit more room for him after next summer.

Will Marseille sign him?

Meanwhile, it is also important to consider that Marseille have the option to buy Guendouzi as part of their season-long loan deal.

Considering how important he’s been since joining, it would not be a surprise if they wanted to sign him permanently. 

And, if he continues this form and enjoying his football, he may well want to stay in the south of France and progress his career there.

Arteta did not rule out the possibility of Guendouzi returning to the club next summer, suggesting he is impressed with what the Frenchman has demonstrated in Ligue 1. 

Having previously been an unwanted man at the club, he may well now have a future at the Emirates.
Whether Marseille will allow him to return - or if he even wants to return - remains to be seen.

Photo credit: Getty Images