Arsenal midfielder makes Olympique Marseille switch a permanent one

Olympique Marseille have completed the permanent signing of Arsenal’s midfielder and outcast, Mattéo Guendouzi; he will stay at the French club following a successful loan stint.

At the very start of March, Ligue 1 outfit Marseille exercised their right to automatically sign Mattéo Guendouzi on a three-year contract. The player met “certain conditions” to which a clause in his loan deal would be triggered for them to be able to sign the now-former Gunner long-term.

"Speaking as a guest on RMC Sport show Rothen s’enflamme, Marseille president Pablo Longoria has confirmed that midfielder Mattéo Guendouzi will automatically sign for the club at the end of the season.The 22-year-old had been loaned out to OM by Arsenal at the start of the season, in a deal which included a permanent clause should certain conditions be met.He will sign a three-year contract after largely impressing in his combativeness and drive in the Marseille midfield so far this campaign, in which he has made 38 appearances in all competitions so far. (Via: )"

Mattéo Guendouzi’s time in North London

What started off as a sweet and promising career at the Emirates, quickly turned sour after the appointment of Mikel Arteta. Following the sacking of the man that brought him in, Unai Emery, there was a chance for all to prove themselves.

Sadly, Guendouzi failed to impress Arteta and convince him he is an asset to the club moving forward. However, this was not because of his lack of ability. On the contrary, it was because of his attitude and on-pitch antics which cancelled his stay at the Emirates.

An onfield spat with Brighton’s Neal Maupay kick-started the beginning to the end for Guendouzi. When joining, Arteta was a manager on a mission to eradicate the bad omens and elements and install a system where no player is bigger than the club.

From that point on, the promising youngster was alienated and isolated from squad training, basically numbering his days in North London.

"French midfielder Matteo Guendouzi has been training alone since Arsenal’s humbling defeat to Brighton. The player’s days at the Emirates are numbered. A meeting was held between the player, the manager, and the technical director, Edu. Due to the process of the meeting and how badly it panned out, Matteo was instructed to train alone thereafter. (Via: thetopflight.com)"

There was really no turning back for Arsenal or the outcast and an exit, loan or long-lasting, was the only way to get past the bad blood. This is where OM stepped in and took him off Arsenal’s hands.

They acquired his services on a loan deal at first — with an option to make his stay permanent — which has now come to fruition, following a stellar showing at his new club.

The worst is behind Arsenal and Mattéo Guendouzi

Mattéo Guendouzi has been a constant component for Olympique Marseille. He has featured 38 times across all competitions, having a great contribution of four goals and eight assists — although scoring and assisting is not the biggest qualities of his game.

OM currently sit aloft in second place in the Ligue 1 standings. It is highly unlikely that they will catch league leaders, PSG, being 15 points behind them. But next season it’s back to the Champions League if they can keep winning on all fronts.

Much like them, Arsenal are also sort of in the driver’s seat and hot on the heels of their top-four counterparts. They are only two points behind Manchester United who are in fourth place. It does appear that the exit of Guendouzi was best for both the club and the player.