KEY POINTS

  • Arteta is challenging Guendouzi to back Arsenal rebuilding efforts
  • Guendouzi has told Arsenal management of exit plans this summer
  • Multiple clubs are interested in taking in Guendouzi

Matteo Guendouzi seems imminently headed out of Emirates Stadium with several teams reportedly interested in the hot-headed football player. The 21-year-old French football player was not used when Arsenal faced Southampton, seen as an aftermath of his antics in a previous match. That move hinted at a possible exit with teams like Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United ready to take him off their hands.

According to L'Equippe, Guendouzi has already informed Arsenal management that he is ready to move out at the end of the season. In a previous post, it was mentioned how the days of the French footballer at Emirates Stadium are numbered. This stemmed from that heated exchange between him and Neal Maupay of Brighton. Guendouzi taunted Maupay, boasting how he made more money compared to Brighton players. That drew the ire of Arteta, saying that it was not the culture he was trying to preach in Arsenal.

And just when it seemed that Guendouzi was headed out the door, it appears Arteta has issued a challenge to the temperamental midfielder. The 38-year-old manager dared Guendouzi to get behind the rebuilding efforts of the club if he truly wanted to stay at Emirates Stadium.

"All the players that are here, I am counting on them. If they want to jump on the boat, they are more than welcome and that is always my mindset. I am here to help all of them to improve individually and collectively and that is my job," Arteta said, via PA Media.

Matteo Guendouzi
Arsenal's French midfielder Matteo Guendouzi Getty Images | OLI SCARFF/AFP

Right now, the order of business for the Gunners is to deal with their current situation. They are at the ninth spot of the Premier League table and will need to double their efforts to move up. The Gunners are 11 points behind fourth-placer Chelsea FC.

It should be an interesting summer with all eyes on Guendouzi. The Frenchman still has two years left in his current deal but his clashes with Arteta are well-documented. Despite revealing his intentions this summer, it will be interesting how the remaining games will pan out. Arteta mentioned that all internal problems will be dealt with privately.

There is no word yet on him and Guendouzi sitting down to sort things out.

RELATED STORIES