Arteta Gives Guendouzi New Shot At Redemption At Emirates Stadium

Matteo Guendouzi is believed to be on the way out although it appears he has gotten a fresh option from Mikel Arteta to stay with the Gunners. Though the French player has been kept on hold since June 20, staying on at Emirates Stadium is a possibility if he is interested.

Arteta bared that he has given Guendouzi a new chance to play on with the Gunners. He says he is ready to leave the past behind and is more interested in seeing if the 21-year-old can regroup and contribute to the cause of Arsenal FC.

“I’ve been really clear that everybody starts from zero," Arteta said during the Community Shield via Goal. "What you did two weeks ago or two years ago, doesn’t really matter. It’s what you are able to contribute to the team now."

Arteta stressed that this holds for all players, not only Guendouzi. For him, the players need to show the right attitude and perform better for the good of the team. This includes the French national.

“To tell him exactly that he’s going to be part of the team and at the moment he’s like any other player in our squad. He deserves, first of all, to be treated exactly the same and I will do that to my best capability,” Arteta said.

Hence, it all now depends on what Guendouzi plans to do. He has been linked to several clubs but nothing has progressed thus far. Among the teams mentioned include Barcelona and Villareal. Between the two, the latter makes more sense since it would reunite Guendouzi with Unai Emery. It was Emery who brought the 21-year-old to Emirates Stadium in 2018.

The latest revelation follows a similar move made by Arteta last month. At the time, Guendouzi and Mesut Ozil were urged by Arteta to follow the path of Grant Xhaka.

Xhaka clashed with fans during a game against Crystal Palace on Oct. 27 but managed to turn his career around. After that incident, he worked his way back and got a starting spot.

"He's a really good example for any player that is in a difficult moment that if you are willing, consistent and really want to do it generally, I think there's always a way back," Arteta said.