ARSENAL outcast Matteo Guendouzi has ‘enriched’ Hertha Berlin, according to club chief Michael Preetz.
The out-of-favour midfielder joined the German club at the end of the transfer window on a season-long loan and has made an impact on club bosses already in his short stay.
Guendouzi has impressed in his time at Hertha Berlin so far Credit: Getty Images – Getty
He had been frozen out of Mikel Arteta’s team after his actions in a loss to Brighton in June, but seems to have made a far better impression at his new side.
Sporting director Preetz told German outlet Kicker: “Three months ago, Matteo’s loan signing wasn’t possible, but it was at the beginning of October.
“We are happy that he is here and that he enriched our game from the start.
“We’ll see everything else next summer. How the prices will develop by then and what Arsenal are planning then, nobody can say today.”
Guendouzi was booted out of Arsenal’s first team after clashing with Brighton’s Neal Maupay.
He grabbed the striker by the throat as they squared off in a Premier League game not long after the season restarted after lockdown.
The 21-year-old then angered Arteta when he refused to apologise for his petulance in an internal disciplinary meeting.
Guendouzi was then forced to train on his own for the remainder of the campaign.
Guendouzi’s Arsenal future went up in flames after a clash with Brighton’s Neal MaupayCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Since arriving in the Bundesliga, he has made two appearances and has been generally well-received.
Hertha currently sit in mid-table with seven points from seven games.
Former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell believes Guendouzi should look for a permanent way out, as he’s not convinced he has a future at the Emirates.
He told Football Insider: “I do not think he will play for Arsenal again.
“He doesn’t have a future at Arsenal. Mikel Arteta put him in detention after the Brighton game last season, that is what it was – detention.
“A manager like Arteta wants to see that you can toe the line, take your punishment, keep your trap shut and get working. Guendouzi could not do it.
“He was given a clean slate at the start of the season, like Mezut Ozil, but they did not toe the line.
“Arteta is strong enough to exclude players he cannot trust. When a manager cannot trust you he is not going to back you.
“The good thing is they got him out on loan because you cannot afford to have ill-disciplined players like that in and around the club. The right thing was to get him out on loan.”
Arsenal player Matteo Guendouzi seals loan transfers away to Hertha Berlin
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
