Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs Manchester City: 5 things we learned – Guendouzi lone bright spark

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal and Mesut Ozil of Arsenal look dejected after conceding a second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on August 12, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal and Mesut Ozil of Arsenal look dejected after conceding a second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on August 12, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 12: Sergio Aguero of Manchester City chases down Matteo Guendouzi of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on August 12, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 12: Sergio Aguero of Manchester City chases down Matteo Guendouzi of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on August 12, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

4. Matteo Guendouzi impresses

Matteo Guendouzi was Arsenal’s best outfield player. That maybe says more about his teammates rather than his own performance, but thrust into the heart of the midfield against the champions at 19 years of age is quite the task, and Guendouzi applied himself well.

Yes, there were moments where his inexperience was evident. He missed the ball when Sergio Aguero scampered in on goal in the second half, he skied a 30-yard shot over the crossbar, he played a couple of loose passes or took a little too long on the ball. But, for the most part, this was an industrious, energetic, busy performance with moments of real quality.

His passing is especially pleasant. He plays forwards as frequently as possible, piercing the lines of the opposition, can switch the play wonderfully with long-range, raking passes, and has the ability to create as well as just control. It should not go unnoticed that Granit Xhaka, not Guendouzi, was substituted in the second half for Lucas Torreira. Emery likes him. A lot. And so do I.