Arsenal Not Recalling Matteo Guendouzi is the Right Decision

Matteo Guendouzi Should Stay at Hertha Berlin

As per transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal will not recall Guendouzi early from his time in Berlin, with Hertha intent him seeing out his loan contract.

There are a whole host of reasons why this is the right call, starting with the midfielder’s development. In the six months since he’s been in Germany, Guendouzi will have learned a great deal. On a personal level, he’s moved out of his comfort zone into a new league and language where he’s, hopefully, maturing as a person.

His attitude issues have been prevalent throughout his career, although the unfamiliar surroundings of Hertha may finally force him to focus his energy elsewhere. Besides, on a footballing level, he will play every game this season for the club bar injury, the sort of minutes that are vital at this stage of anyone’s career. Coming back to Arsenal he won’t be granted that luxury.

There are implications on the current squad that would occur as a result of his recall, too. While it’s taken far too long to reach the winning status quo the team are enjoying, those in central areas would be knocked by the decision.

This can be argued the other way. By bringing Guendouzi back, the current crop would be given greater competition and raise their own games as a result. That would be true were it not for the fact that Guendouzi was someone outcast from the squad entirely for having a wretched attitude and left to rot in the reserves.

Recalling that player after a handful of solid outings in Germany would evoke dissimilar feelings within the camp. Apparent unrest in the camp wouldn’t be made much rosier.

It’s not about ‘sending a message’, but the whole saga around his petulance and unwillingness to adhere to the non-negotiables would count for little if he could play ten matches in the Bundesliga and be thrust straight back into the Premier League side.

Arsenal sorely need more (better) midfielders: Lucas Torreira will leave in the summer, Joe Willock could well be loaned out before next term, Dani Ceballos‘ deal runs out at the end of the season, Elneny is unlikely to sign a new deal and question marks remain over Granit Xhaka‘s long-term future.

If Guendouzi continues to impress in Germany then he’s one of few who could help accrue the money needed to replace those set to leave. It won’t be much, but it’s better than nothing. Is the door shut on the Frenchman having a future at Arsenal? Not entirely. It’s barely ajar, mind you.

Only if a suitor was found this window willing to pay an acceptable fee would it make any sense. Nobody is going to do that.

Arsenal are building up to something now. Granted, it’s a winning run in its infancy, yet it’s lifted to mood and changed the outlook. No need disrupting that by recalling Guendouzi now.