Matteo Guendouzi is hoping to make at least a few appearances for the Arsenal first team in the new season after being one of the standout highlights from the club’s pre-season.
The 19-year-old, who arrived from Lorient for around €8m was touted as ‘one for the future’ but in Lucas Torreira’s absence, he has shown that he is more than ready to be involved now.
On the back of an impressive pre-season, the teenager has been hailed in France.
“His maturity, his poise, the quality of his cross-cutting, and the large volume of game have surprised some observers of the Gunners, who would like to watch him in official competitions,” wrote La Montagne before his performance against Chelsea.
- DUBLIN, IRELAND – AUGUST 01: Matteo Guendouzi celebrates after Arsenal won the penalty shoot out during the Pre-season friendly International Champions Cup game between Arsenal and Chelsea at Aviva stadium on August 1, 2018 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
- DUBLIN, IRELAND – AUGUST 01: Matteo Guendouzi of Arsenal jumps in celebration after Arsenal won the penalty shoot out during the Pre-season friendly International Champions Cup game between Arsenal and Chelsea at Aviva stadium on August 1, 2018 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
- DUBLIN, IRELAND – AUGUST 01: Matteo Guendouzi of Arsenal jumps in celebration after Arsenal won the penalty shoot out during the Pre-season friendly International Champions Cup game between Arsenal and Chelsea at Aviva stadium on August 1, 2018 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
- DUBLIN, IRELAND – AUGUST 01: Matteo Guendouzi of Arsenal jumps in celebration after Arsenal won the penalty shoot out during the Pre-season friendly International Champions Cup game between Arsenal and Chelsea at Aviva stadium on August 1, 2018 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
- DUBLIN, IRELAND – AUGUST 01: Matteo Guendouzi of Arsenal jumps in celebration after Arsenal won the penalty shoot out during the Pre-season friendly International Champions Cup game between Arsenal and Chelsea at Aviva stadium on August 1, 2018 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
Guendouzi trained with PSG before moving to Lorient in 2014. He made his first-team debut in Ligue 1 aged just 17 but didn’t really get regular playing time until they were relegated (and he matured a little more).
He has certainly not come to Arsenal to be stuck in the youth team and seems determined to seize his chance.
“Everything is a question of work. I have to work, work, work, and the coach will make his choices, but I hope to play a few matches,” Guendouzi said recently. “This is only the beginning, but I hope that this is a great adventure for me at Arsenal.”