It feels like an eternity since Mikel Arteta was the coach of Matteo Guendouzi. The Frenchman has not played for Arsenal since the second game of the Premier League restart after being pictured grabbing Neal Maupay of Brighton.
The French international left for Hertha Berlin on loan before another spell away with Marseille that eventually became permanent. Mikel Arteta did not integrate him back into the side despite football.london understanding that the player was given a number of opportunities to apologise for disciplinary matters.
At Guendouzi’s exit, Arteta faced scrutiny from his critics who saw potential in the Frenchman and claims the Spaniard had made a mistake. However, it has become clear for both individuals who has been proven to be right.
At Arsenal, Arteta cultivated a brilliant midfield of Thomas Partey, a record-equalling goalscorer in Martin Odegaard and a revived Granit Xhaka. The latter was the example of a player ready to do what it would take under Arteta to succeed and he not only turned his Arsenal career around but the perception of him by the majority of fans too.
Meanwhile, after an initial call-up to the French squad and the World Cup where he played 79 minutes in one game against Tunisia, things have taken a turn for Guendouzi. He was not called up for the past two squads, missing the European Championship qualifiers.
This is likely due to a dip in form for Marseille. At OM, he had fallen out of favour and spent plenty of time on the bench. Speaking in May, he was asked about his future and admitted his time on the bench was not something he was enjoying.
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“I don’t demand anything at all," he said. "I have a contract (until 2025). I have always faced my responsibilities, both on and off the pitch.
“I have commitments, and I’ll keep to them until the end. Obviously, it isn’t easy to be on the bench, I have always wanted to help the team and you feel powerless.
“But I can bring a lot to the team when I’m called upon. I will always give everything on the pitch."
Guendouzi has been linked with a Premier League return with clubs like West Ham and Aston Villa, where he’d join up again with former Arsenal boss and the coach who gave him his chance in north London, Unai Emery. But this situation is a far cry from when Guendouzi was being tipped to cost a hefty sum with the likes of PSG supposedly keen.
Arteta and Guendouzi have diverged and it’s easy to recognise who has benefited the most from the split. The Spaniard has been vindicated and Guendouzi is sure to stand as an example to his squad of the risk taken not sticking to the Arsenal manager's principles. Just ask Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
