Watching the North London Derby on Sunday was like taking a time machine back a number of years when football still seemed to mean something to the players on the pitch.
For the first time in a while, we had plenty of goals, we had handbags and we had wild celebrations (we’re looking at you Lucas Torreira).
Arsenal walked away with the three points, beating Tottenham 4-2 thanks to goals from Aubameyang, Lacazette and the aforementioned Uruguayan, but for Mattéo Guendouzi, a lot came down to the 12th man on their team: the fans.
Speaking to RMC Sport after the game, the young French midfielder, who came on at 2-2 in the 71st minute, claimed this was a ‘reference match’ for the Gunners.
He said: “We started off with the lead, then they caught up, but we had the mental strength… There was a really good atmosphere and with the stadium, it pushed us, helped us transcend ourselves, and that’s why I reckon we managed to score after that to get the goals needed to win.
“If we continue like this… I know it’ll be hard to play every game like this one, but I think we can achieve great things if we continue like this.”
The two goals came three and six minutes after Guendouzi’s introduction, and while he didn’t have a hand in them goal or assist wise, he was involved in the build-up for the fourth.
Unai Emery’s decision to introduce the youngster at such a crucial part of the game shows how much he trusts the 19-year-old who arrived from Lorient for just £7.2m in the summer.
Already making 18 appearances in all competitions this season, Guendouzi is looking more and more like one of the bargains of the summer.
