Arsenal: The chances of shock Matteo Guendouzi return

Matteo Guendouzi is someone who rarely leaves the headlines. Whether he’s charging in to a commotion on the pitch or being lauded as some unfairly treated saviour who deserves his Arsenal chance, he’s always there.

To his credit he’s having an impressive campaign over at Marseille. Along with William Saliba the pair have cemented their places in Jorge Sampaoli’s starting lineup with Guendouzi finding joy operating in a more advanced role.

Mikel Arteta’s squad is much improved from last season even with an apparent gap in midfield. Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey are the main two with promising youngster Albert Sambi Lokonga going from strength to strength just behind them.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles is coming off the bench in matches to commendable effect and Mohamed Elneny is there in case crisis strikes.

The chances of a shock Matteo Guendouzi return at Arsenal under Mikel Arteta are nonexistent as he embarks on a loan spell at Marseille

More will be needed at the end of the season with the latter two likely to move on, which has prompted talk of a shock return for the Frenchman. When asked the question in his press conference ahead of Crystal Palace, Arteta gave one of his usually democratic answers.

"“For right now, he’s [Guendouzi] gone for the season,” the manager said. “I think he’s having a really good spell at Marseille, and it’s part of the plan we made with him. He’s continued with his development and we’ll make a decision at the end of the year.“I think you cannot say that [if he’s played his final game for Arsenal] about a player that is owned by the club.”"

Some have deciphered the hint of an unlikely comeback. But is that even an option? Arteta said they will make a decision at the end of the year but all the details of Guendouzi’s season-long loan claimed that Marseille have an obligation to buy inserted into the deal. Thus, there might not even be a debate to be had.

Simon Collings noted that while the deal it isn’t officially an obligation, the clauses to make it permanent are very ‘gettable’. In the same way Konstantinos Mavropanos’ deal is an obligation only if Stuttgart avoid relegation, the terms are almost certain to be met. It is, effectively, an obligation to buy for Marseille.

If it was an option, Guendouzi is still not coming back to Arsenal. All his fervent supporters may demand he does, but it isn’t happening. Even with a stirring campaign of goals and assists, that ship has sailed.

Arteta has moved on. Everyone who hasn’t should too.