Arsenal Vs Brighton: 5 key players to watch – Resurrection

3. Matteo Guendouzi

Following Granit Xhaka’s early exit, Arteta entrusted the lone defensive midfield position to Matteo Guendouzi. Against a brilliant City midfield, it was an impossible task. And Guendouzi was routinely exploited by City time and again. Kevin de Bruyne, especially, gave the Frenchman the run-around.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win

What was most concerning was Guendouzi’s lack of involvement. He had just 25 touches in 67 minutes of action. He completed just 19 passes. For large portions of the match, he hid in central midfield, not receiving the ball from the Arsenal defence. He was brave when he did get the ball, but unlike Ilkay Gundogan, who had 100 touches by the match was over, he did not dictate play as needed from that position.

Xhaka has played that role for Arteta thus far. The Swiss international is almost certain to miss the Brighton trip, and will likely miss more matches afterwards, too. Guendouzi, then, must provide the tempo-setting distribution from the base of the midfield that allows Arsenal to progress through the phases of play and move up the pitch.

He has the skill and ability to do so. He is still hugely talented. But where de Bruyne and David Silva pulled him inside-out on Wednesday, it is time for Guendouzi to make his mark on a match and establish control in midfield.