In his Monday column for The Athletic, David Ornstein claims that Matteo Guendouzi has landed himself in hot water more than once at Arsenal since the arrival of Mikel Arteta.
After the squad returned from Duabi, there were reports that Arteta had been less than impressed with the youngster’s attitude resulting in him being dropped for the Premier League game against Newcastle last week.
He did, however, start midweek against Olympiacos and he came off the bench to help Arsenal close out the game against Everton on Sunday after VAR allowed both their goals to stand despite clear and obvious foul play.
Ornstein states that part of the reason behind the new-found cohesion in the squad is Arteta’s “hardline, non-negotiable stance” around discipline that Ornstein says has been “welcomed by players and staff.”
After Guendouzi’s spot of bother over the last couple of weeks, somebody has also informed The Athletic that this “is not the only time Guendouzi has been reprimanded for his behaviour.
“The training incident,” Ornstein reveals, “was a mid-session altercation with one of his team-mates, which led to both men being pulled up by Arteta, although the 20-year-old was deemed the guiltier party and given a more stern dressing-down.
“But also during the five-day camp, Arsenal’s technical director Edu had to tell off the Frenchman for his behaviour at an external event,” Ornstein adds. “The group were enjoying some local music when Guendouzi briefly removed his shirt and waived it around in support of the act.”
Ornstein highlights that Edu’s involvement demonstrates the unity of the management over Arteta’s firmer approach.
Under Emery, Guendouzi was a first-team starter and it’s not surprising that that might have went to his head somewhat. His arrogance is part of what makes him such a good player and great prospect.
But he needs to remember that – at present he’s still just a prospect.