Winning a penalty this weekend to keep his good form going, Matteo Guendouzi explained why he chose to join Hertha BSC and leave Arsenal.

BERLIN, GERMANY: Julian Brandt (R) of Dortmund is challenged by Matteo Guendouzi of Berlin during the Bundesliga match between Hertha BSC and Borussia Dortmund at Olympiastadion on November 21, 2020. (Photo by Clemens Bilan - Pool/Getty Images)
BERLIN, GERMANY: Julian Brandt (R) of Dortmund is challenged by Matteo Guendouzi of Berlin during the Bundesliga match between Hertha BSC and Borussia Dortmund at Olympiastadion on November 21, 2020. (Photo by Clemens Bilan – Pool/Getty Images)

Arsenal loanee Matteo Guendouzi made his third appearance of the season for Hertha BSC on Saturday, his first home start for the club. After initial delays relating to coronavirus, he’s had to wait for his chances this campaign.

Speaking to the French media late last week, Guendouzi explained his situation with Arsenal and how it led to a loan move to Hertha.

“In the space of 2 seasons, I have played more than 80 games with Arsenal,” Guendouzi said. “When you play less, you start to think and it hurts.

“I needed to have fun on the pitch, to regain confidence and that’s what Hertha offers me. It’s really a choice I made.”

The midfielder performed well against Borussia Dortmund. He completed 88% of his passes and four of five dribbles, winning nine of 11 individual duels and making a few tackles and interceptions on top of that.

Guendouzi’s best moment of the match was winning a penalty, with Hertha 4-1 down at the time. He skipped past two defenders before catching his leg on a third and earning a spot-kick, which Matheus Cunha converted.

Sadly for Hertha, they conceded within a minute of cutting the gap to two goals. Erling Braut Haaland was on fire, scoring his fourth of the day to kill the game off.

The final result speaks more to the gap in quality between the two teams than Guendouzi’s individual performance. It looks like the French u21 international is carrying his form from the break into the club fixtures, which is good to see.