Matteo Guendouzi has expressed his concerns about Arsenal after the Gunners failed to qualify for a European competition for the first time in over 25 years.
Mikel Arteta’s men had a woeful campaign last season. We finished eighth and we simply weren’t good enough. Some fans even wanted the Arsenal boss gone at one point, it was that bad, but the board stood by the Spaniard, and the pressure is on him now.
One of Arteta’s decisions that has annoyed a number of Arsenal fans is his treatment of Guendouzi. The Frenchman was banished from the squad after problems behind the scenes last year, and he hasn’t played a game for us since.
He spent last season on loan at Hertha Berlin and if reports are to be believed, it’s only a matter of time before he heads out on loan again, this time to Marseille, who will be obligated to sign him on a permanent deal next summer. (Goal)
Matteo Guendouzi: I’m concerned about Arsenal
Guendouzi was asked about his opinion of Arsenal in an interview with Bild. He revealed that he is proud to have been a Gunner, but has boldly claimed that he is ‘concerned’ about the situation at the club after a terrible campaign last season.
He said: “As a kid, I always dreamed of playing for Arsenal and I was incredibly lucky to get there early in my career. In my eyes, this club is a myth and I always have the great times of the Arsene Wenger era in my head. I’m still a fan of all the extraordinary players, especially the French.
“To see that the club failed to qualify for a European competition for the first time in 25 years hurts deeply. That affects me emotionally a lot. Arsenal are a big club in Europe that deserve to be in the Champions League every year. That’s normal for me, an institution like this deserves only the best.
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“Arsenal must return to where it belongs. I don’t know the reasons for the failure because I wasn’t there last season. But I’m concerned about the club’s situation because Arsenal deserve great things. I am a Gunner from the bottom of my heart and will remain so, no matter what.”
The Insider’s View:
Guendouzi’s statement may well have been a small dig aimed at Arteta, but he’s not wrong. Arsenal have fallen badly over the last few years, and our finish last term was the worst of the lot.
Missing out on European football was a monumental blow and the pressure is well and truly on Arteta now. The Arsenal boss simply has to deliver next season. If he fails, he will be shown the door, just like Unai Emery was about a year and a half ago.
As for Guendouzi, his time as an Arsenal player is coming to an end. His comments may win him a few fans, but at the end of the day, only he is responsible for his ill-discipline behind the scenes, and that has cost him his Gunners career.
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It really is a shame to see the Frenchman end up in this situation. He really is a phenomenal player and there’s a good chance he can become one of the best midfielders in the world soon. Sadly, it won’t be at Arsenal and it’s time for all of us to move on.
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