Falling out with Mikel Arteta after a spat with Neal Maupay in an Arsenal vs Brighton & Hove Albion game last year, Mattéo Guendouzi’s time with the Gunners took a rather abrupt turn.
The young Frenchman was swiftly removed from the first-team squad, with a loan to Hertha BSC following shortly after, where the midfielder has impressed.
However, there is no option for the move to be made permanent, meaning the player is expected to return to Arsenal at the end of the season, where he will have to come face to face with Mikel Arteta once again.
Speaking in a long interview with France Football, Guendouzi was asked about his future at Arsenal, and whether the story between himself and the London club had come to an end.
He replied: “No, not at all. I’m focused on my season with Hertha. Then, I’ll have to sit down with my entourage and people at the club to think about and discuss the future. I’m still an Arsenal player. This summer will be a crucial time”.
As for whether he could return and work under Mikel Arteta once again, he said: “Yes, of course. I’m at Arsenal for another year. As long as I’m playing for Arsenal, I will give everything for this club, for the fans, the team and the staff. I will work hard for the shirt as I’ve always done”.
To us, that sounds like there’s a real desire to set things right from Guendouzi’s end, but we’ll have to see if that feeling is mutual from his manager’s.
Since joining Hertha Berlin, the midfielder has made 19 appearances in the Bundesliga, scored two goals and picked up an assist.
