Arsenal out of favour loan duo focus of crunch future talks

Matteo Guendouzi Arsenal Future

Guendouzi will only have a year left on his contract when his loan concludes, and the decision on his Arsenal future is less set in stone than with Torreira. While not a regular, he did play in some capacity under Arteta until that fateful day at Brighton after the Spaniard took charge.

What would be deemed a success in that department? He joined for £7m having been plucked from Ligue 2 obscurity, and as he continues to give a decent account of himself in Berlin he may well draw some suitors. That said, would his reputation proceed him?

Much will also hinge on his mindset. Does he return to Arsenal with a point to prove, giving 100% in training and forcing his way into the starting lineup to convince Arteta he was wrong to drop him, or, will his mind be set on leaving to prove the very same point elsewhere?

Having stated that the ‘door is always open’ for any player to change the his mind, Arteta may see a change in Guendouzi that prompts a rethink. The love-loss may be hard to get over, mind.

Granit Xhaka has cemented his place as Thomas Partey’s central midfield partner, but the Frenchman’s greater athleticism and box-to-box nature have heightened talk of a possible persuasion otherwise. While an option, Arteta almost certainly wants a left-footed player in that position.

If you’re sticking your neck out then it does appear the writing is on the wall for Guendouzi. Sure, he may be playing well enough to prompt speculation of integration, but that promise simply adds numbers onto his valuation, which is surely the way Arteta sees it.

Edu could ring up old pal Juninho at Lyon and see if he’s had a change of heart re Houssem Aouar. That’d be nice.