Guendouzi honoured by Golden Boy nomination

Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi says he is proud after his impressive form this year saw him nominated for the 2019 Golden Boy award. The France Under-21 international has been included in the 20-man shortlist, with the gong awarded by European journalists to the best footballer under the age of 21 in Europe.
Italian publication Tuttosport compiled the shortlist last month, and Guendouzi will now be doing all he can to impress before the end of the year.
The 20-year-old has made tremendous progress since he joined the club in the summer of 2018 from Ligue 2 outfit Lorient.
He made 48 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal during his first season in north London, while he has featured in 12 Premier League matches during the current campaign.
The winner of the award will be announced next month, and Guendouzi believes his nomination proves his hard work is paying off under coach Unai Emery.
He told Arsenal Player: “It shows that I’ve been working hard at Arsenal and have also done well at international level. I think it’s a reward for all the hard work that I’ve done at the club and the good displays I’ve produced, but it also reflects my progress in training and how much I’ve come on as a player here. “It’s a reward for all my hard work, and I’m hugely proud to be part of the 20 players under the age of 21 who’ve been nominated for the Golden Boy award – it’s fantastic.”
Juventus ace Matthijs de Ligt won the award in 2018, and he is nominated again. Manchester City’s Phil Foden is also named on the shortlist, despite his lack of action this season.
Red Bull Salzburg’s Erling Braut Haaland will fancy his chances after his Champions League exploits, while Moise Kean of Everton and Mason Mount of Chelsea are the other English-based nominees.