‘Platoon’ moment turns Guendouzi into Arsenal’s new cult hero
Teenager is showing the passion the Emirates faithful have been craving, says Sam Dean
There is nothing more endearing to a group of travelling fans than a visible demonstration of passion, and there was no one more passionate than Matteo Guendouzi in Arsenal’s match at Chelsea last weekend.
When Pierre-emerick Aubameyang skied an easy chance, Guendouzi collapsed to his knees and pounded the turf as if he was auditioning for a remake of Platoon. The teenager’s all-action performances, and that frenzied reaction, have set him on the path to becoming the most unexpected cult hero of the season. He is not there yet but few signings have made a bigger emotional impact in their first 180 minutes of Premier League football than the bouncyhaired Frenchman, who would have been unknown to most Arsenal fans until this summer.
Already, Guendouzi has been hailed as a “hero” by former Arsenal striker Ian Wright. Martin Keown, another club legend, has praised him for his “bravery”. And Unai Emery, his head coach, raised his eyebrows in delight when asked if he was shocked by the midfielder’s early impact.
“It is a very big, positive surprise with him,” Emery said.
Signed from French second division side Lorient in the summer for about £7million, Guendouzi was expected to be nothing more than a squad player this season.
But he has adapted so quickly to life in London, and impressed so much in the past six weeks, that he kept Lucas Torreira, a £26million recruit from Sampdoria, out of the side for the games against Manchester City and Chelsea. The 19-year-old has so far provided Arsenal with the energy, steel and composure that were expected of Torreira. In two games, Guendouzi has made 17 tackles and interceptions combined, four more than any other player in the top flight, and has had more touches of the ball than any other Arsenal player.
Best of all, though, is that Guendouzi has played with what Wright described as “heart and spirit”. As so many Arsenal fans will attest, these are the attributes which, more than any other, tend to evaporate at the first sign of heat at the Emirates. It therefore felt notable that Emery chose to focus on Guendouzi’s attitude, rather than his ability, ahead of today’s meeting with West Ham.
“He is improving,” said Emery. “He is working every day.
He is hungry. He wants to improve, he wants to learn every day, every match. He is doing it his way, with character and quality.”
Born in the Parisian suburbs, Guendouzi was released from the Paris St-germain academy at 14 and headed to Lorient, where he made his debut aged 17 before being selected to represent France at under-18, 19 and 20 levels.
PSG, no doubt regretting the decision to let him go, were reportedly among the big clubs interested in signing Guendouzi this summer. Emery had become aware of his talents during his time in charge of the French champions, and Borussia Dortmund were also keen. But Guendouzi had grown up watching
Arsenal with his father and was set on a move to the Premier League. Guendouzi impressed in pre-season, starting matches in Singapore against both Atletico Madrid and PSG. “When he arrived here – not the first day, which is very difficult, but after two weeks – we spoke and said his performance is a very big surprise,” said Emery. “But also in each training session and match we need to show this progress consistently.” A lack of consistency has curtailed the promising careers of plenty of talented Arsenal players in recent years, including Jack Wilshere, Guendouzi’s midfield opponent today.
The matchup adds another plot line to an already intriguing game between two sides who have yet to win a point.
To the surprise of everyone, the untested Frenchman has grabbed Wilshere’s position in midfield. If he keeps this up, he may also be taking Wilshere’s place in the hearts of Arsenal supporters.