A regular under Unai Emery, Mattéo Guendouzi found life far more difficult under Mikel Arteta at Arsenal.
Then again, the young Frenchman was the architect of his own downfall, getting into a late spat with Neal Maupay in a game against Brighton & Hove Albion that saw him say some childish and unsavoury things.
His behaviour was immediately punished by the Spaniard, eventually leading to Guendouzi needing to find himself a new club this summer.
After a few months of waiting, the midfielder was sent on loan to Hertha Berlin, where he has yet to play, but it didn’t stop him from being called up to the France U21 squad, where he started and excelled in a 5-0 win against Liechtenstein on Thursday.
"J'avais besoin de temps de jeu, de jouer… @HerthaBSC_EN @HerthaBerlinFr @HerthaBSCFR c'était parfait pour moi…"@MatteoGuendouzi (@equipedefrance) évoque son actualité et sa fierté d'avoir porté le brassard de capitaine ce soir 👌 @ludoduchesne #LateFC #FRALIE pic.twitter.com/kxL8uo4qad
— Late Football Club (@LateFootClub) October 8, 2020
Once that was over, Guendouzi was interviewed by Canal Plus, who asked him about his late transfer switch and how it might have surprised a few for him to head to Berlin.
He replied: “They’re a very good German club, with great ambition, so I’ve gone on loan for a year over there. I’m going to give everything for this club. I needed game time, to enjoy myself on the pitch and that’s what I’m going to do this year.”
He was then asked if things ‘really were no longer possible at Arsenal’.
Guendouzi said: “No, that’s not it. I just really needed to play. That’s what was most important for me. I’m still young, I’m only 21, so game time is key for me. I know that by going to Hertha Berlin, I’ll be able to really express myself in a great league, so everything is perfect.”
