Guendouzi is a very big surprise for Arsenal, says Unai Emery

Arsenal manager Unai Emery has admitted new signing Matteo Guendouzi’s performance so far has come as a “very big, positive surprise”.

Despite signing for around £7 million this summer from France’s Ligue 2 club Lorient, the 19-year-old has impressed his new manager enough to start against Manchester City, Chelsea, and West Ham this season.

Emery, who replaced Arsene Wenger at the London club after 22 years, said of the midfielder (via Goal):

“He is improving. He is playing and working every day. He is hungry – he wants to improve, he wants to learn every day, every match.

“He is doing it his way, with character and quality. We are very happy with him but every match is a chance to show this progress with consistency.”

Mattéo Guendouzi for Arsenal vs. Chelsea:

• Most tackles (4)
• Most interceptions (4)
• Joint-most fouls won (3)
• Joint-most take-ons (2)
• Highest pass accuracy (93.9%)

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The 46 year old also admitted he did not know that much about the France Under-20 international, who has yet to make a senior appearance for the World Cup winners. Indeed, interest in Guendouzi seemingly preceded Emery’s arrival at the club.

“Two years ago we played against him when he was starting to play for Lorient,” said the Spaniard of his time as manager of Paris Saint-Germain, referencing a Ligue 1 match, where the then 17 year oldGuendouzi came on as a second-half substitute, during a 5-0 drubbing.

“Last year he was in Ligue 2 but when the club spoke with me about him, the club had worked and watched him, we agreed and when he arrived here – not the first day, which is very difficult – but after two weeks we spoke and said ‘his performance is a very big surprise’ but also in each training and match we need him to show this progress consistently.

“Today, he was progressing like the first two weeks, very positive.” (via Independent)

As well as impressing his manager, Guendouzi believes Arsenal can impress everyone by winning the Premier League this season. Despite losing the opening game to the reigning champions, he said (via Evening Standard) “Yes, I believe we can win it this season because of the players and staff we have”.

Fresh off a win against West Ham, Arsenal are away to Cardiff.

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