Thierry Henry says Matteo Guendouzi is giving Didier Deschamps a nice problem, but the former Gunner doesn’t know if the midfielder will make the France squad next summer.
![Thierry Henry: Matteo Guendouzi gives Didier Deschamps a nice problem 1 GUIMARAES, PORTUGAL - NOVEMBER 06: Matteo Guendouzi of Arsenal reacts during the UEFA Europa League group F match between Vitoria Guimaraes and Arsenal FC at Estadio Dom Afonso Henriques on November 06, 2019, in Guimaraes, Portugal. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)](/static/uploads/2019/11/Vitoria-Guimaraes-v-Arsenal-FC-Group-F-UEFA-Europa-League-1573064312-1024x683.jpg)
Guendouzi has received his second call-up to the French senior national side for the current international break, making him available for Euro 2020 qualifiers against Moldova and Albania. Given they have the head-to-head advantage and a four-point lead over Iceland in third place, France need just two points to qualify.
As a result, if they get a win over Moldova, the final game becomes a dead rubber, and Guendouzi may well get a chance to make his international debut. The midfielder was called up over the September international break as well, but he didn’t get onto the pitch.
Speaking to Goal, Thierry Henry praised Guendouzi’s club form but admitted he doesn’t know whether it will be enough to displace strong competition in midfield for the national side when the actual tournament comes around.
“I saw him (Guendouzi) also at the Under-21 European Championship where he played on and off,” Henry said.
“He’s been doing well with Arsenal. Is he going to make the Euro or not? I don’t know. The competition is massive in midfield. But it’s a great experience for him to be able to go and play some games, just being in and around the team.
“That’s the type of problem that Didier Deschamps is going to have. But in all fairness, they are nice problems to have.”
It’s not as though Deschamps hasn’t shown a willingness to give young players chances in the big games, as Kylian Mbappe played just a few minutes short of the entire knockout stages to win the 2018 World Cup.
Mbappe is a special case though, and whether Guendouzi can push himself into the side in the same way is another matter.
Realistically, it’s way too soon to be thinking about that anyway. First, we have to see the 20-year-old get onto the pitch with France, and see how he plays with the team.
Keep an eye out for France’s matches, which are listed on our full fixture schedule for all senior Arsenal players over the international break.