Matteo Guendouzi is making headlines for his pointed remarks about former club Arsenal and its manager Mikel Arteta, while another former Arsenal player, Graham Stack, finds himself in the news for quite a different reason.

Guendouzi praises the warmth he’s received from Lazio fans in contrast to his experience at Arsenal, while Stack’s bizarre tale of being branded with a hot iron after losing a bet has also come to light.

Lazio more welcoming than Arsenal, apparently

Matteo Guendouzi has openly criticised Arsenal and its manager Mikel Arteta while discussing his transfer to Lazio.

The midfielder, who parted ways with the Gunners following disagreements with Arteta, joined Lazio on a one-year loan deal after spending a season at Marseille.

Guendouzi praised the warm reception he received from Lazio supporters, contrasting it with his time at Arsenal. “I was welcomed warmly, like in Marseille, but more than at Arsenal,” he said.

“I will pay them (Lazio fans) back with interest.”

The Frenchman’s relationship with Arsenal soured in 2020, leading to a loan move to Hertha BSC.

Ex-Arsenal man branded with hot iron

Ex-Arsenal star Graham Stack was branded with a hot iron as a result of losing a bet, according to his former Reading teammate Leroy Lita.

The incident left Stack unable to train for months.

Lita divulged the story on the Under the Cosh podcast, revealing that the bet involved a game of cards or a drinking game, leading to the unfortunate branding on Stack’s lower back.

When asked what his favourite Graham Stack story was, Lita said: “Oooo, there’s only one isn’t there. When he lost a bet to his mates.

“I think they were playing cards or maybe some drinking game and the forfeit was, you have to get a hot iron printed on your back.

“So if you look at Stacky’s back – it’s got an iron imprint. That’s not healing. It was horrible. Got an iron on there. I was like…no, I didn’t see it. He came into training and he couldn’t train.