Lazio midfielder Matteo Guendouzi has now aimed a dig at the Arsenal fanbase for the reception he got at Emirates Stadium upon joining under Unai Emery during July 2018.
The Gunners looked fondly at the potential Guendouzi was showing in France whilst still just a teenager with FC Lorient. He piqued their interest in Ligue 2 at 19 years old and secured a £8m transfer. But a move to Arsenal ultimately did not work out after Mikel Arteta took over.
Guendouzi twice left Emirates Stadium on loan before securing a permanent £9m transfer to Marseille in July 2022. He had spent the previous season on loan at the Ligue 1 giants after a stint in Germany with Hertha Berlin. Now, the 24-year-old is away on loan in Italy with Lazio.
Guendouzi aims a dig at Arsenal fans whilst praising Lazio supporters
Lazio lured Guendouzi to Serie A this August for €1m (£850k) on a season-long deal that has a purchase clause. The Biancocelesti can buy the seven-cap France anchor next summer for €13m (£11.5m), plus €5m (£4.5m) in add-ons. Arsenal will get 15% through a sell-on clause.
Straight away, Guendouzi felt indebted to the Lazio fanbase for the reception they gave him, unlike at Arsenal. The Poissy-born midfielder wants to pay the Stadio Olimpico faithful back ‘with interest’ having made him feel welcome, which was not the case at Emirates Stadium.
“The warmth of the fans and this city is fantastic,” Guendouzi told Il Messaggero. “Like in Marseille, more than at Arsenal. I will return that welcome with interest.”
Guendouzi was a Gunners fan growing up because of Henry and Pires
Guendouzi also opened up on why he was an Arsenal fan as a youth, lauding the significance of his compatriots. The midfielder grew up during a golden era of French footballers playing for the Gunners in Thierry Henry and Robert Pires, plus the iconic Arsene Wenger in charge.
“In France, Arsenal is very popular because many Frenchmen have played there,” he added. “Pires, Henry and Wenger on the bench. As a child, yes… When there was the possibility to move, I had no doubts, even though I had other options. Emery did everything to have me.”
But Guendouzi did not feel welcomed to Arsenal by the fanbase to the same levels as Lazio or Marseille’s supporters. He, ultimately, returned to his native France in a permanent move after 82 appearances. Emery afforded Guendouzi 66 of his appearances whilst with Arsenal.
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