Arsenal: Matteo Guendouzi is back to being Matteo Guendouzi

Arsenal witnessed the return of Matteo Guendouzi against Bournemouth, and I don’t just mean his return to action. I mean his return to himself.

Form the moment that Matteo Guendouzi arrived at Arsenal, there was something so delectable about the way he played. The way I’ve always described it is “swashbuckling”. He plays with such confidence that it almost comes across as arrogance.

At the onset, it was dicey, because he wasn’t as well polished as a swashbuckling player ought to be, but it was clear that he was establishing an obvious brand in the middle of the pitch, and that brand was a joy to watch..

Under Unai Emery, the brand blossomed and turned into something even better. While the confidence and mentality remained, the skill level and competence soon joined up. Just like that, the teenage sensation became one of the most coveted players in the world.

We lost that when Mikel Arteta took over. Guendouzi was pushed to the side. It wasn’t like it was  a bad decision. Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira were a dynamic duo all over again and Guendouzi wasn’t imminently needed.

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But having now seen the best of Guendouzi on the pitch against Bournemouth, I’m reminded why he was so much fun to watch. When at his best, there is, again, that swashbuckling, ‘can’t touch this’ style that you don’t get to see often enough.

He was the bane of the Cherries’ hopes. He was booed every time he touched the ball, yet if anything, that only propped up his confidence even more. He was nutmegging opposition players well into the dying embers, he was making intelligent, yet suave turns. He was the perfect blend of youthful exuberance and veteran composure.

Which is exactly what he was marveled at for when he was in the prime of his midfield dealing days under Emery.

I’ve always said that the only person I could ever see properly replacing Granit Xhaka is Guendouzi. Now the problem is I want both of them. And Lucas Torreira. And I want them all in the same midfield. Because they’re all just too much fun to be without.

Matteo Guendouzi has clearly lost no confidence since being relegated to rotational duties. If anything, he’s taken it as another chip on his shoulder to do even better. Whatever the case, all I know is Matteo Guendouzi is back to being Matteo Guendouzi and it is a marvelous thing.