Arsenal: Matteo Guendouzi passion better than any pass

Matteo Guendouzi has impressed greatly in his first two appearances for Arsenal. The best thing about his performances is his uncontained, unbridled passion. It is a rare quality in this team.

When Arsenal signed a 19-year-old Frenchman who had played only a handful of games at senior level, was considered a confident but temperamental individual, and at a position where £26 million had been invested in a more secure and experienced option only a few weeks earlier, few had expected him to play the full 90 minutes in the opening two matches of the season.

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And yet, that is precisely what Matteo Guendouzi did, anchoring the midfield against the two previous champions with a youthful energy, verve, commitment and surprising quality that was truly wonderful to see.

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His performances in both matches, but especially in the 3-2 loss to Chelsea last weekend, were exemplary. There were the inevitable, youthful moments. Slight positional naiveties, an over-eagerness to win the ball back at times, a lack of discipline when defending. But these can be forgiven in such circumstances — his age, his inexperience, the quality of the opposition. Guendouzi has been one of Arsenal’s best players so far this season. It’s been fantastic to watch.

Indeed, his passing range is truly superb. He didn’t fail to complete a pass in the first half against Chelsea, he has had more touches than any Arsenal player in both matches, he has conducted the team from the deep-lying playmaker position with class and calmness, he has been controlling and creative, always looking to move the ball forwards, into the feet of his teammates in more advanced areas of the pitch.

But while the level of his performances has been admirable and impressive, better than any pass, more moving than any crunching tackling, greater than any raking switch of play, is the passion, the commitment, the desire, and the will to win with which he has played.

In this notoriously soft squad, it is lovely to see a player wear his heart on his sleeve and play with an outward desire. Sometimes it does get him in trouble. He needs to be disciplined. But the energy he exudes, his expressive manner, his youthful exuberance and intensity he brings is a unique element. Contrast Guendouzi’s body language to that of Mesut Ozil or Granit Xhaka.

When Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed his first gilt-edged chance against Chelsea, blazing over the bar from close range after Hector Bellerin’s cut-back, a move that was started by a lovely, threaded through pass by Guendouzi to Bellerin, Guendouzi slouched to his knees, bent forwards over the ground and thumped it with both his fists. His passion overflowed.

That, for me, is better than any pass he could play. That’s what I love to see. In this team, a team of players so quick to go quiet, a team that lacks characters and personalities and leaders, Guendouzi, at 19, is providing spark and intensity, and it’s just wonderful to see.