Arsenal: Matteo Guendouzi proves behaviour paramount for Mikel Arteta

For new Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta, good behaviour is paramount, as his recent selection decisions involving Matteo Guendouzi and Dani Ceballos illustrate.

There were some shock selection decisions from Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta ahead of Sunday’s 4-0 victory over Newcastle United. Alexandre Lacazette was dropped from the starting XI, Lucas Torreira also slipped to the bench for the second successive match, while Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Matteo Guendouzi missed the matchday squad entirely.

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It was Guendouzi’s omission that was especially unexpected. While the Frenchman was initially dropped from the starting XI upon Arteta’s arrival, he produced a superb display against Bournemouth in the FA Cup, then started in the 0-0 draw with Burnley prior to the two-week break, and was seemingly beginning to earn his manager’s trust again.

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But not only was Guendouzi not involved in the starting XI; he was dropped from the bench, too. Something, it seemed, was off. And in his post-match press conference with BEIN Sports, Arteta alluded to a potential behavioural issue regarding the 20-year-old midfielder when he was asked why Guendouzi was not included:

"“The reason is that players who, in my opinion, are training better, behaving better and are more applied to deliver on the pitch what we want, are the players that are selected.”"

And on Monday morning, that sense was confirmed by Sam Dean of The Daily Telegraph, who reported that Guendouzi missed out on the squad as punishment for a fieiry argument between he and Arteta during the Dubai training camp, an argument that started on the training ground but extended into the evening back at the team hotel.

Guendouzi is a tumultuous and impassioned character. As Arteta and the Arsenal coaching staff expressed concerns and disappointment with his body language and effort levels during training, it is not entirely surprising that Guendouzi exploded in response.

What is most telling, however, is that this was not the only mention to ‘behaviour’ by Arteta in relation to his team selection. Dani Ceballos made his first start under his compatriot on Sunday. There was an obvious tactical element to the decision: Ceballos’ surpreme passing ability was critical in the Gunners’ attempts to break down a disciplined and well-drilled Newcastle low-block.

But Arteta alluded to more personal reasons when asked why this was the match that he re-introduced Ceballos into the starting XI:

"“He was injured and when he started to train I didn’t think he was fit enough. He completely changed his behaviour and trained like an animal. I thought he was the best player on the pitch.”"

Here we have, then, two selection decisions, one positive and one negative, both motivated by the motivation, body language, commitment, attitude, and application in training of the players involved. It is quite clear that Arteta will make decisions based on the behaviour and personality of his players. The way they handle themselves, as well as the manner in which they perform, will be considered.

For Arteta, behaviour is paramount. And he will make big calls based on the behaviour and responses of his players. Ceballos has learned that lesson and flourished as a result. Now Guendouzi must do the same.