Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been told that Matteo Guendouzi is en route to becoming one of the game's best midfielders as the Frenchman's Gunners exit edges ever closer.
The 22-year-old has spent the season back in his home country of France on loan with Ligue 1 outfit Marseille, where his game has gone from strength to strength. So much so, in fact, that his current manager Jorge Sampaoli believes that Guendouzi will soon be regarded as one of the finest midfielders around.
Speaking ahead of Marseille's home clash against Montpellier on Sunday night, the Argentine told reporters "He [Guendouzi] is on his way to becoming one of the best midfielders in the world." If that is the case, Arteta could be left kicking himself for sanctioning his exit and arguably making the former Lorient talent's position in North London untenable.
The relationship breakdown between Arteta and Guendouzi is well-documented, with the pair failing to see eye-to-eye for the limited amount of time they were both at the club together. Guendouzi spent just half a season under the Spaniard's stewardship.
It was during 'Project Restart' where the cracks first started to appear, most notably in the second game since the resumption of the Premier League following the Covid-19-enforced suspension. Arsenal made the trip to Brighton for a game that saw Guendouzi come to blows with Seagulls striker Neal Maupay.
Arteta was thought to be furious with the Frenchman's conduct, which only worsened during a mid-season trip to Dubai that ultimately spelled the end of Guendouzi's time at the Emirates. He was swiftly sent on loan to German outfit Hertha Berlin the very next season.
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That was followed by his latest switch to Marseille, where he has played an integral role at the Stade Veledrome. "Guendouzi's physical condition is exceptional. He can recover very quickly, he has less risk of injury," Sampaoli explained.
"He also managed to impose himself, which can be seen with his selection for the France team. Finally, he is the soul of the team. He hasn't progressed thanks to me, it's in general, he has matured." Arsenal's current midfield woes mean Guendouzi would likely be in the side were he still at the club.
Thomas Partey's thigh injury has appeared to have derailed Arsenal's hopes of a top four finish, with the Ghanaian ruled out of Saturday's shock home defeat by Brighton. Albert Sambi Lokonga was deployed in his absence but failed to hit similar heights.
