Guendouzi fast becoming Arsenal fan favourite, putting Xhaka to shame
Two games into Unai Emery’s managerial reign at Arsenal, it’s fair to say that things could have gone better for the Spaniard thus far.
Matches with the previous two Premier League champions were always likely to prove incredibly difficult, and the fans were certainly prepared for the eventuality of back-to-back defeats, but there has been one clear positive to the Gunners start to the season.
Indeed, if the first two matches of the campaign were a baptism of fire for Emery, that’s even more true of summer signing Matteo Guendouzi.
The 19-year-old was something of a surprise inclusion in the starting XI for the season opener against Manchester City, preferred over fellow new arrival Lucas Torreira having had a full pre-season with the club, and while the Frenchman made some mistakes in that game, his overall performance was encouraging.
Guendouzi continually showed for the ball despite the high press from Guardiola’s men and showed a level of determination off it that highlighted midfield partner Granit Xhaka’s inadequacies.
The same was true at Stamford Bridge, with the teenager deservingly keeping his place in the side, putting in a more assured performance whilst still breaking up play very well. The same couldn’t be said of Xhaka, who was replaced at half-time by the aforementioned Torreira following another abject display.
The young Uruguayan didn’t really fare any better upon his introduction, however, and it was Guendouzi who played like the senior pro in the middle of the park throughout the game, completing the 90 minutes once more.
The former Lorient midfielder completed 46 of his 49 passes (94 per cent), with the standout being a through ball into the path of Hector Bellerin that really should have resulted in a goal as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang blazed over.
Guendouzi’s reaction to the effort was evidence that the youngster doesn’t feel as though he is a temporary solution for the Gunners either. He went ballistic at the nature of the miss, and when he has been taking instructions from his new manager on the sidelines the youngster certainly isn’t shy to give his opinions either.
Arsenal have been crying out for a leader in the middle ground for some time and could yet have found one in the youngest player on the pitch. He’s certainly set an example with regards to his work rate and tenacity, making nine tackles and interceptions combined at Chelsea to add to the eight he managed against the champions. All in all a total of 17 isn’t only the most at Arsenal - seven more than any other teammate - but four more than any other player in the league.
Usually when a player of his age comes into the side they benefit from having an experienced head alongside them, particularly in such an important position on the pitch. While Guendouzi is a long way from the finished article and could do with some guidance, it’s the Frenchman that is leading by example as things stand, winning over the hearts of the fans and the mind of his manager.
