The positivity around Arsenal at the moment is arguably higher now than it was at any point this season. Four wins on the bounce has lightened the mood but there are still a few issues.
The biggest problem at the moment for Mikel Arteta is Matteo Guendouzi. The Frenchman has been left out ever since his altercation with Neal Maupay at Brighton, and it looks like he will be on his way out this summer.
“I don’t know (if Guendouzi’s attitude should have changed), the reality is it hasn’t so we are still where we are,” Arteta told the Guardian
The French midfielder is one of the most talented youngsters in the Premier League. He proved his quality when he started almost 50 games for the Gunners as a teenager last season.
However, Arteta has stressed from day one that he only wants players with the right attitude at the club and, sadly, Guendouzi doesn’t seem to be one of those he wants at the Emirates any more.
It will not be easy for Arsenal to move him on this summer. The financial climate will make it difficult for most clubs to splash big money in the upcoming transfer window, and that will hurt Arsenal’s chances of getting a good sum for Guendouzi.
One option for the Gunners would be a swap deal. A player of Guendouzi’s quality will certainly attract multiple clubs and Arsenal could use him to land one of their other targets.
“We have to be open to different situations. And I think the market will give us the opportunity to do certain deals like this [swaps] but at the moment I cannot comment on any of that,” said Arteta as quoted by the Guardian.
Partey for Guendouzi?
Arsenal’s main priority this summer according to multiple reports is Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey. The Telegraph claimed that the Ghanaian, who has a £45 million release clause, would be open to a move to the Emirates at the end of this season.
Arsenal will likely struggle to fork out £45 million on one player this summer. Thankfully for them, a swap deal could be on the cards with Guendouzi going the other way.
L’Equipe claimed two weeks ago that Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid are interested in the Arsenal man, which sets things up nicely for a potential swap deal this summer.
Arsenal might have to offer some money along with the player to get the deal done, and that might just be in the best interest of all parties.
Guendouzi certainly has a bright future ahead of him. A disciplinarian like Simeone could be the perfect mentor for the Frenchman and he could well thrive in the Spanish capital if the deal goes through this summer.
Partey, on the other hand, would solidify Arsenal’s midfield. Arsenal fans would certainly love to have the Ghanaian at the Emirates and the signs look positive.
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