Matteo Guendouzi has admitted he made mistakes under Mikel Arteta, but he has no regrets about his time at Arsenal.

FLORENCE, ITALY: Matteo Elias Kenzo Guendouzi Olie' of SS Lazio reacts during the Serie A TIM match between ACF Fiorentina and SS Lazio at Stadio Artemio Franchi on February 26, 2024. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
FLORENCE, ITALY: Matteo Elias Kenzo Guendouzi Olie’ of SS Lazio reacts during the Serie A TIM match between ACF Fiorentina and SS Lazio at Stadio Artemio Franchi on February 26, 2024. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Matteo Guendouzi remains a controversial figure at Arsenal, with his relatively brief spell remembered both for moments of brilliance and passion as well as misconduct and disobedience.

There were some outstanding displays against the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa, but then also his clash with Neal Maupay, or the fact he preferred to go on holiday rather than attend Arsenal’s FA Cup final against Chelsea.

That Guendouzi gave up on Arsenal so quickly has also been held against him, with the midfielder pursuing a transfer after just 12 games under Mikel Arteta.

Reflecting on that time period in an interview with The Athletic, Guendouzi conceded that he made mistakes under the Arsenal boss.

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What happened between Mikel Arteta and Matteo Guendouzi? Sport Bilder des Tages Mikel Arteta manager of Arsenal comfort Matteo Guendouzi of Arsenal following the loss during the Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium, London. Picture date: 29th December 2019. Credit: David Klein/Sportimage
Mikel Arteta, manager of Arsenal, comforts Matteo Guendouzi of Arsenal following the loss during the Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium, London. Picture date: 29th December 2019. Credit: David Klein/Sportimage

“I didn’t work with Arteta a lot, I only had six months,” Guendouzi said. “I was 19, so I was learning every day. I wouldn’t make the same mistakes I did when I was 19.

“But in football, every day you learn and mistakes are part of football. Mistakes are part of life. You become a better man and a better footballer with mistakes.”

The French midfielder went on to wish his former club the best.

“For me, it was a very good club because I played a lot,” Guendouzi insisted.

“Arteta is doing a very good job at Arsenal, they are fighting for the title, they are a very good team and he’s doing amazing things. I hope they will get a trophy because Arsenal is a big club. I wish the best for them.”

Matteo Guendouzi of Arsenal is shown a yellow card by referee Mike Dean during the FA Cup Fifth Round match between Portsmouth FC and Arsenal FC at Fratton Park on March 02, 2020 in Portsmouth, England.
PORTSMOUTH, ENGLAND: Matteo Guendouzi of Arsenal is shown a yellow card by referee Mike Dean during the FA Cup Fifth Round match between Portsmouth FC and Arsenal FC at Fratton Park on March 02, 2020. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

But when it comes to regrets, Guendouzi insists he has none from his time in north London.

“I have no regrets about what I did at Arsenal,” he said. “I was 19 and I went on to play 85 games in two years. Eighty-five games for a big club like Arsenal is a lot.

“I tried to give my best for the club… I am very happy about what I did there.”

Guendouzi now plays for Lazio, where he is on loan from Marseille and could be set for a permanent move after an impressive season so far and is valued at €25m, more than double the €11m Arsenal sold him for after purchasing him for €8m.

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