Arsenal has officially signed 19 year old midfielder Matteo Guendouzi from Ligue 2 team Lorient for an undisclosed fee – which is believed to be in a region of 8 million euros.[spacer height=”30px”]
Introducing… @MatteoGuendouzi 👋#GunnerGuendouzi 🔴 pic.twitter.com/dHEWi69hIK
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 11, 2018
[spacer height=”30px”]Arsenal has lately been on a shopping spree with new head Coach Unai Emery wasting no time to bolster his sqaud, adding his fifth signing of the summer in the form of the french teenager alongside veteran Stephen Lichtsteiner, Bernd Leno,Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Lucas Torreira.[spacer height=”30px”]
All of Arsenal's signings so far this transfer window! #afc pic.twitter.com/igbCqXgxOT
— Sash ~ (@ltarsenal) July 11, 2018
[spacer height=”30px”]Guendouzi made 21 appearances for FC Lorient in all competitions in last season and has shined in the France’s Second Tier as the club finished at 7th position.[spacer height=”30px”]
19 year Matteo Guendouzi old has represented France at U18,U19 and U20 level and has drawn comparisons with the likes of Adrien Rabiot.[spacer height=”30px”]
Speaking of his switch,the 19 year old seemed proud to sign for the Gunners : [spacer height=”30px”]
“It’s something I’m immensely proud of. Arsenal have always been the team closest to my heart and a side I’ve wanted to join since I was a child.[spacer height=”20px”]
It gives me great pride – it’s incredible. I hope I can do great things here. It doesn’t get any better than coming to a club like this, with so much history, like Arsenal.[spacer height=”20px”]
I’m hugely proud.”[spacer height=”30px”]
he said,speaking to Arsenal.com[spacer height=”30px”]
So Happy to share with you this amazing moment.
Now I'am a Gunner 🔴⚪️ @Arsenal pic.twitter.com/OWXPyoZfKs— Matteo Guendouzi (@MatteoGuendouzi) July 11, 2018
[spacer height=”30px”]Arsenal beat competition with the likes of Borussia Dortmund for the 19 year old defensive midfielder who is praised for his reading of the game and his use of the ball.[spacer height=”30px”]
New Head Coach Unai Emery is already predicting big things for the talented youngster.[spacer height=”30px”]
“We are delighted Matteo is joining us.He is a talented young player and a lot of clubs were interested in him.[spacer height=”20px”]
He has big potential and gained good first-team experience last season with Lorient.[spacer height=”20px”]
He wants to learn and improve and will be an important part of our first-team squad. “[spacer height=”20px”]
Emery said to the Arsenal’s official website.
[spacer height=”30px”]Joining the Paris Saint-German academy in 2005, Matteo spent 9 years in their youth team before making a switch to Lorient’s Youth Ranks in 2014 and made his debut as a 17-year old in October 2016 before making seven first team appearances when FC Lorient was in the top flight.[spacer height=”30px”]
Guendouzi made an impressive mark in his debut season and almost seemed to have booked a regular place in the Starting XI in the next one but a dispute with the head coach Mickael Landraeu at half time vs Valenciennes resulted him left behind from the squad for almost three months as Lorient got relegated in the 2016-17 season.[spacer height=”30px”]
2️⃣9️⃣ #GunnerGuendouzi
You can get your @MatteoGuendouzi shirt right here
👉 https://t.co/QNn6BGLm2L pic.twitter.com/GJ0ydQ37ji— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 11, 2018
[spacer height=”30px”]Talking about his style of play, Matteo is known to have a good physical presence in the midfield and knows how to use his frame while being in possession. He is a combative midfielder and is more of a player who dictates the counter attacks of the team with his wide array of passing.[spacer height=”30px”]
He is known to use the ball very well and reads the game exceptionally but is prone to fouling when it comes to defensive responsibilites and is still has a lot to learn about the art of tackling.[spacer height=”30px”]
https://twitter.com/ArsenalUrban/status/1016408486983405569?s=19
[spacer height=”30px”]Guendouzi had one of the best figures when it came to pass completions and favours long balls, diagonal ones and defence piercing passes down the channels between the opposition defence.[spacer height=”30px”]
As stated by Unai Emery that he’ll be a part of the first team squad, he’s likely to compete with the likes of Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Mohammad Elneny in the defensive midfield and will likely feature in pre season matches[spacer height=”30px”].
He has already joined the first team squad in the pre season training although there are chances that he could go out on loan and also with the U-19 European Championships coming up, one has to wait and see whether the teenager will join the France Squad or continues to have a pre-season with the Gunners.[spacer height=”30px”]
We're all pleased to have you on board, @MatteoGuendouzi 👊#GunnerGuendouzi pic.twitter.com/RaeZUClkuo
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 11, 2018
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FC Lorient have a history of producing good and talented players with Laurent Koscielny moving from the club to North London in 2010, Matteo Guendouzi has made a positive impression on the fans and is evidently a player they can bank on in the future.
