Arsenal: Matteo Guendouzi is really something, isn’t he?

Arsenal youngster Matteo Guendouzi is getting better and better, and it’s about time we consider that he may be ticketed for much more than we thought.

Arsenal continue to impress their fans on this rather remarkable preseason that has them showcasing a lot of their talents against teams that are actually pretty respectable. Yet they keep winning.

And they aren’t just winning 5-4, using their overpowering attack to compensate for a holey defense or anything like that. Their defense has had problems, but nothing like they had throughout all of last season.

In the middle of all of that is the midfield, which has had a rotating cast of characters. Of all the three major sections of the formation, the midfield certainly has the most moving parts. There are jobs to be won and lost.

When Matteo Guendouzi was first signed, even for a fairly hefty fee of £8m, I don’t think many of us imagined he would break into the starting midfield. Not with the options that are available and the foundation they have built for themselves.

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Personally, I would have initially thought that Guendouzi would have began in the U23s and worked his way up from there. I mean, he is 19 and all. It would make sense if he needed time to establish himself in the big bad Premier League.

But here he is, doing some amazing things. And if you don’t want to call it amazing, then let’s at least call it steady. Steady, consistent and enthusiastic. Sprinkle in some creativity and some spark and don’t forget about his drive.

Guendouzi may well be the best performer of the preseason thus far. And granted, it’s the preseason and no greatness was ever made in the preseason (just ask Jeff Reine-Adelaide), but you can only make the most of what you’re given.

And this young man is doing some fantastic things with what he’s been given. He has been an all-purpose midfield machine, and one that looks ready for the right here and the right now. Even if that has only encompassed the preseason thus far.

Should we be talking about Guendouzi being a regular starter? Or is that a bit too premature?

Against Lazio, Guendouzi was back at his best. Again. But he hasn’t been less than his best yet. He is grasping this chance with both hands. And until we see otherwise, why can’t we believe that more is on the plate for the season?