Matteo Guendouzi wasn’t a transfer to shake the Premier League he arrived at Arsenal in the summer transfer window.
The Gunners secured the services of the defensive midfielder from Lorient and since moving to the north London club, Unai Emery started him in the first five league fixtures. He was dropped from the starting XI in his side’s 2-0 win over Everton over the weekend and remained as an unused substitute.
Guendouzi has given an interview to French newspaper L’Equipe and was asked about taking a big step from Ligue 2 to the Premier League and that is when he explained where he was when he first heard about the English club’s interest.
“I come from a championship not followed very well, especially in England. But everyone helped me to settle, it helped. I knew that going to Arsenal, it was going to be complicated, but I had the conviction to do great things. This is a first reward, but this is not an end in itself,” he said.
“I was on vacation in Ibiza. I get a call from my agent (Philippe Nabe). I was at the pool, but during the transfer window I think it may be urgent (laughs). He tells me that Arsenal are interested and I must make a decision on my future.
The teenager revealed his compatriots, Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira, made him fall in love with Arsenal and stressed that joining the Gunners so early in his career was not a part of his future plan.
“I have seen many, many videos. Players like Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira have made me love this club, I was dreaming to go there. When I pass in front of the Emirates and I see the statue of Henry, I think back to these videos,” Guendouzi explained. 
“From the moment Arsenal came in, that was clear. I’m not going to lie, this is a step that I saw later in my career. But joining such a club at nineteen years of age, any player would like.”
A young man clearly very happy with his unexpected, yet much appreciated, transfer to Arsenal.
Poolside dreams to reality.
