The playing days of Matteo Guendouzi at the Emirates could be over soon as reports came out that the midfielder has been training outside of the Arsenal first-team for two weeks now. Gunners manager Mikel Arteta ordered the setup that is seen as a precursor to the Frenchman's eventual departure.
Guendouzi became an outcast following an incident during a June match with Brighton man Neal Maupay. The 21-year-old narrowly escaped a ban when he grabbed Maupay by the throat during play, and that episode prompted Arteta to hand down disciplinary measures.
According to Metro, Guendouzi was summoned to a meeting with Arteta and Arsenal technical director Edu. It turned out that the Frenchman's attitude during the conference was unsatisfactory and he was informed later of Arteta's decision to separate him from the squad.
For two weeks now, Guendouzi has been training on his own and supervised only by a fitness coach, the report added, citing the story first published by The Athletic.
Arteta also dropped the erring player from the last few games of Arsenal and the club started picking up wins following the loss to Brighton.
It was understood that former Arsenal boss Unai Emery brought in Guendouzi to the team fully aware of the youngster's attitude issues. Emery was then convinced that the midfielder could be kept in line but his successor ended up inheriting the problem.
Arteta and Guendouzi have reportedly sparred during Arsenal's warm-weather training camp in Dubai at the start of 2020, and since then the Frenchman started falling out of favor. The Spanish boss admitted that the player continues to be hampered by attitude concerns.
That being the case now, it would seem that Guendouzi's stay with the Premier League club could be over soon. Talk Sport reported that the midfielder is on his way out, likely to be packaged with a potential swap deal for the upcoming transfer window.
Arteta has already indicated that he will only work with players who are fully committed to Arsenal's cause. He added that his vision for the club is for the team members to enjoy playing together and helping out each other.
"If you behave like this every day, you are very, very welcome here and we want to get the best out of you and help you to enjoy your profession with us." The Spaniard was reported as saying.
Arteta is seen to resolve the Guendouzi issue by offering the player to Atletico Madrid in the summer. The Gunners have identified Atletico ace Thomas Partey as a target signing and it could be easier to convince the Spanish side to agree to a deal with a young player inserted on the offer sheet.
