Arsenal: It’s time to make some Matteo Guendouzi comparisons

Arsenal fans have wanted a Patrick Vieira-style midfielder for over a decade, and while it didn’t come in a package we expected, it may finally be here.

Matteo Guendouzi is up to some special things at Arsenal, and while it’s still too early to say anything too crazy, it might just be that after over a decade of waiting, we finally have the midfielder we were waiting for all along. The follow-up to Patrick Vieira.

When Granit Xhaka first arrived, it was impossible not to immediately wonder if he was the Patrick Vieira replacement that Arsenal had needed for a decade. Not because he played a similar style, but because…. well, because he was a similar size? And played the same position?

It was all about desperation. Fans had been desperate for a Vieira-esque midfielder and Arsene Wenger had avoided bringing one in in favor of the likes of Mikel Arteta, a repurposed Santi Cazorla and, in the end, Granit Xhaka.

It became clear that Xhaka was not that guy, for want of athleticism and pace, as well as sufficient energy levels on the defensive side of things.

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So we waited some more.

Lucas Torreira arrived, and we thought it might be him. A wrecker who had played striker in the past? That sounded promising. But while Torreira is a fantastic addition, his abilities on the ball are leaving a lot to be desired. He just doesn’t have a good handle for ball control.

But Matteo Guendouzi, who slipped in under the radar thanks to Torreira’s simultaneous arrival, is that midfielder. That guy with the strength and size and energy to be a constant menace without the ball while also boasting the composure, determination and creativity on the ball. That is what made Vieira truly special, right? The fact that he did everything.

Xhaka doesn’t do everything. Torreira doesn’t do everything. Guendouzi does. I wrote an article yesterday literally titled “Guendouzi does everything.” So why haven’t the comparisons kicked up yet?

And don’t tell me it’s because people are afraid to put that label on someone. That is absolutely not true.

I wonder if it’s because he is still so young, or still a bit raw. But even in the throes of his success, there was a bit of rawness to Vieira. Guendouzi has that. And as he continues to improve, we will see him contributing to more goals and well, the skies the limit with this kid. Maybe he could even be better.