Arsenal: Is Matteo Guendouzi the next Granit Xhaka?

Matteo Guendouzi has impressed in several preseason games, especially against Paris Saint-Germain. Could the Arsenal prospect possibly be the next Granit Xhaka?

Unai Emery bought Matteo Guendouzi, a 19-year-old midfielder, from Lorient for approximately £7 million earlier this summer. Before preseason, Guendouzi was largely regarded as a prospect for the future, with Arsenal seen as simply taking another roll of the dice on a young talent.

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However, the youngster has put in several solid performances during the preseason, especially in the games against Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain in Singapore. He played the majority of both games, often as a holding midfielder or a deep-lying midfielder/playmaker role.

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Guendouzi impressed in both games by showing a wide range of passing. He played short balls back to the defense, but also played longer passes into teammates in more advanced positions, either playing into their feet to turn towards the opposition defense or into channels behind the defense, allowing them to run onto the ball. His passing accuracy was incredible, as was his improvement from one game to the next.

In the game against Atletico, he was dispossessed too easily due to spending too much time on the ball. He dallied on the ball, hesitating time and time again, often finding himself pickpocketed by a pressing Atletico player. It was excellent to see, then, that he remedied these things in the game versus PSG. While he was still dispossessed, just like every player is, he was quicker in his distribution of the ball to his teammates.

While some are choosing to call Guendouzi the next Vieira, I believe a more accurate comparison is Granit Xhaka. No, not the out-of-position defensive midfielder who looks inept. I mean the midfield controller who sets the tempo of the game by connecting the defense and the attack through accurate passing. Xhaka thrives in a deeper midfield role, which appears to be the same as Guendouzi.

Guendouzi has expressed a strong desire to work his way into the first team. I am not sure that he will be able to just yet, but he could learn immensely from Xhaka. Both are effective in their passing, especially long balls, and Xhaka could help Guendouzi in his distribution and long-distance shooting, something that Guendouzi is reportedly happy to risk fairly frequently.

Xhaka could serve as a mentor to the young player, helping him adapt to the physicality of the Premier League. Coming to the Premier League and adapting quickly is quite difficult. But having someone who plays the same position as you, as a regular starter, to guide you, to help you, is invaluable.

Guendouzi has impressed in preseason, but he still has much to learn if he wants to get as much playing time as possible. He has a very similar skill set to Xhaka, he now just has to put it into action.