FORMER Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi has opened up on his relationship with Mikel Arteta.
The French international spent two years on loan at Marseille before making the switch permanent.
He told BeIN Sports: "It’s true that I didn’t have the best relationship with [Arteta].
He preferred other players and I respect that decision.
"That’s why, afterwards, I also decided to leave because I was still young, I needed playing time to continue to progress."
Meanwhile, Chelsea are reportedly ready to battle with Arsenal for the signature of Leandro Trossard.
And one winger that the Gunners will definitely not be signing isMarco Asensio as the Real Madrid ace has signed a new contract at the Bernabeu.
- Tony Robertson
Baptism of fire
Unai Emery faces a brutal first five Aston Villa matches after taking over the reins at Villa Park following Steven Gerrard’s sacking.
Ex-Arsenal boss Emery is believed to have agreed a three-year deal but will not be in charge for Saturday’s clash against Newcastle as he is yet to receive a work permit.
It means his first game is likely to be the November 6 clash against Manchester United.
He will then face a tough trip down to Brighton before the World Cup break kicks in.
And he will not find life any easier when Prem action returns as Liverpool are the visitors to Villa Park on Boxing Day.
If that was not bad enough, Villa then travel to North London to take on Tottenham on New Year’s Day before the Black Country derby against Wolves three days later.
- Tony Robertson
Marc my words
Arsenal have suffered a blow in their transfer pursuit of Marco Asensio after reports emerged indicating he was now willing to sign a new deal at Real Madrid.
The Spaniard, 26, has been linked with a move to Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham since bursting onto the scene at Los Blancos in 2016.
According to SER, however, Real want to hold showdown talks with Asensio’s representatives to extend his stay in Madrid – including a bumper pay rise.
Previous reports suggested Asensio wasn’t happy with his bit-part role in the team – but he appears to have changed his mind after a string of opportunities off the bench.
- Tony Robertson
Pat on the back
Arsenal wonderkid Charlie Patino has been named in the Championship team of the week.
Patino shone for Blackpool against Preston in midweek by grabbing a goal and assist in their 4-2 victory and subsequently earned a spot in the team alongside team-mate Jerry Yates
- Tony Robertson
Ref Watch
Simon Hooper will be the referee taking charge of Arsenal’s Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest over the weekend, the Premier League have confirmed.
He will be joined by assistants Adrian Holmes and James Mainwaring.
The Fourth official will be Thomas Bramallm and the VAR officials will be Andre Marriner and Darren Cann.
- Tony Robertson
Had to Gue
Matteo Guendouzi has revealed the reasons behind his Arsenal exit.
He was banished from the Arsenal squad in the summer of 2020 following his infamous spat with Brighton’s Neal Maupay, while he also admitted he didn’t enjoy the best relationship with Mikel Arteta.
He told BeIN Sports: “Journalists used (the Maupay incident) to say that we had a bad relationship and that’s why I stopped playing and left Arsenal.
“Not at all. It’s a gesture like many on the pitch. There’s a lot of tension sometimes, a lot of problems on the pitch. In any case, it has nothing to do with all that.
“It’s true that I didn’t have the best relationship with (Arteta)… He preferred other players and I respect that decision
“That’s why, afterwards, I also decided to leave because I was still young, I needed playing time to continue to progress. The most important thing when you’re young is to play.”
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