Mikel Arteta promised ruthlessness when he joined Arsenal and Matteo Guendouzi has been treated to nothing less, being forced to train alone as the Gunners look to sell the midfielder, according to reports.
The 21-year-old has earned a reputation as a hot-head after a number of incidents, the most recent a throat-grab on Brighton match winner Neal Maupay after the Gunners’ sorry 2-1 defeat to the south-coast side in June.
Guendouzi avoided a ban from the FA but did not escape Arteta’s wrath, with the Spaniard less than impressed with his attitude – dropping the midfielder for every match since.
The Athletic are reporting that Guendouzi has been exiled from first-team training since the Seagulls defeat, working with a fitness coach alone after he failed to impress in a meeting with Arteta and technical director Edu.
The report claims the Frenchman and his representatives will meet with Arsenal in the coming days, as the Emirates side are keen to eject him via a sale or swap deal.
Arteta has been unflappable in his direct approach to breaking Arsenal’s steady decline and appears to have turned their post-lockdown form around since dropping Guendouzi.
The club’s highest paid player, Mesut Ozil, has also sat out as the Gunners stormed to four-straight wins following the loss at Brighton, conceding just once and banging in 10 goals.
Things are looking up for the Gunners, with 18-year-old hot prospect Bukayo Saka committing his future to the club via a new four-year contract – celebrating with a superb strike in the 2-0 victory over Wolves on Saturday.
Saka will no doubt be influential in Arsenal’s clash with Leicester on Tuesday, where a win would signify huge progress for Arteta.
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