Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has not ruled out Matteo Guendouzi from making a surprise return to the club next summer.
The Frenchman is currently on loan at Marseille, and there are conflicting reports about whether the Ligue One side have an option or an obligation to buy the player at the end of the season. However, Arteta has suggested that the 22-year-old is still in his plans:
“For right now, he’s gone for the season. 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.”
Supporters on Twitter are very sceptical about Arteta’s remarks. While a few hope that Guendouzi will be given another chance at the Emirates, the vast majority believe he will stay in France on a permanent basis:
Arteta is not taking him back, yes.
— ๐ป๐๐๐ ๐ผ๐๐๐ (@Benzinh0) October 14, 2021
I hope this means there was no obligation to buy. Hell be worth double next summer.
— Nathan Meza (@OGNathan23) October 14, 2021
A decision to sell him donโt get fool that was the plan
— Temโน๏ธยฉ๏ธ (@TemT50) October 14, 2021
Just say heโs not coming back lol
— Ogi (@blago_blogger) October 14, 2021
He's gone .
A clean plan – obligation for Marseille ๐คฃ— AW (@afc_cat) October 14, 2021
He shud bring the man back
— Kingslay97๐๐ฃ๐น๐ฟ (@Yungin_Hood97) October 14, 2021
I hope he can give him a second chance
— TAATA๐ณ๐ฌ๐น๐ฌ (@Reyex49) October 14, 2021
they can keep him
— Alex (@Alex64816181) October 14, 2021
If Marseille do have a purchase option, the decision is very much out of Arteta’s hands anyway. It may simply be the case that the Spaniard is covering all bases if the Marseille opt against keeping Guendouzi beyond this campaign. We shall have to wait and see how things turn out.