Without a doubt, Matteo Guendouzi has been one of my favorite Arsenal players this season. The lad seems to give 100%, 100% of the time.
Yesterday, however, the young Frenchman was strangely missing from Mikel Arteta’s squad. Instead of being on the pitch or on the bench, Guendouzi was either in the stands or at home watching his teammates destroy Newcastle United 4-0.
So, what happened? Where was the 20-year-old midfielder? Why was he absent from yesterday’s team?
Well, stories out of London this morning report Matteo is in Arteta’s doghouse. According to both the the Daily Mirror and Telegraph, Guendouzi’s attitude and body language was not impressing either the manager or his coaching staff during the team’s training trip to Dubai. It is understood that an argument took place between Arteta and Guendouzi on the training pitch in Dubai, and continued later at the team’s hotel. Obviously, Mikel Arteta is the boss, and this did behavior did not sit well with him. So, now Matteo has to earn his way back into the squad. The Daily Telegraph is reporting the bust-up had to do with who had the better hair, Matteo or Mikel. Really?
This is an unfortunate story to be reported because the Dubai trip was designed to be a team builder, not a drama fest. Every member of the club needs to rally around what Arteta demands, both on and off the pitch. This is the only way to achieve further successes this season. Arteta’s approach showed through in the second half against Newcastle. The building blocks are there, but everyone, including Matteo Guendouzi, must understand who is in charge.
The Gunners need Matteo Guendouzi. The situation needs to be resolved, and the Frenchman needs to get on board because I’m confident Arteta will leave him behind for the good of the club, if necessary.
Cheers. Gunner1953
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochetinno expects Blues forward Cole Palmer will not be available to play v Arsenal on Tuesday due to illness.
Just Arsenal is reporting the Gunners are eyeing Las Palmas goalkeeper Alvaro Valles as a possible summer replacement for Aaron Ramsdale, who is expected to leave the Gunners.
L’Equipe is reporting Arsenal are among several clubs interested in signing Real Madrid defender Ferland Mendy. 
Fair Game is reporting that 58% of clubs across four divisions in English football are technically insolvent.
Stat of the Day: Arsenal has now recorded six consecutive away clean sheets in the Premier League, which is a new club record.
Mikel Arteta, “At the moment we are fighting for the league again for two consecutive seasons. We had our first experience in the Champions League for the boys. We have come quite far, not as far was we want that’s for sure and we still want to improve.”
Leandro Trossard, “The resilience has been brilliant. It is always tough when you lose, especially after the run we had by winning so many games. It’s up to the boys to show character and the mentality. We did that today (Sunday). All we can do is focus on ourselves.”
