Matteo Guendouzi returned to the Hertha BSC starting lineup with an assist over the weekend, after recovering from a knock.

Arsenal loanee Matteo Guendouzi picked up a minor knock before Hertha BSC’s clash with Borussia Dortmund just over a week ago, the latest of a number of small setbacks for the player since Pál Dárdai’s appointment as manager.

Things were looking up for him this week, however, as he recovered to start against Bayer Leverkusen in Sami Khedira’s absence through an injury of his own.

Guendouzi put in a well-rounded display, creating three chances (including one big chance), winning nine of his 13 duels and four free-kicks, making three interceptions and five tackles.

The midfielder capped off the display with an assist, though perhaps that is a bit of a generous way to describe the way he controlled the ball only for his teammate to effectively tackle it away from him.

In fairness, the other chances Guendouzi created were worthy of an assist, so it all evened out in the end. You can see Guendouzi’s influence throughout the game in the highlights here.

Guendouzi will now head out on international duty with the France u21s.