Arsenal outcast Guendouzi is ‘going through puberty’

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 1 min read

Arsenal loanee Matteo Guendouzi is going through footballing puberty and needs to mature fast, according to Hertha Berlin coach Pal Dardai.

Guendouzi is spending the 2020/21 season on loan at the Bundesliga side following dressing room problems at Arsenal last term.

The 22-year-old’s temperament and character have been questioned repeatedly during his short career thus far.

He became an outcast at Arsenal last season when he infamously grabbed Brighton’s Neal Maupay by the throat during a hot-tempered clash.

He has endured similar issues in Berlin this campaign, having an on-field row with team-mate Matheus Cunha in January.

And at the weekend, Guendouzi made a huge error for one of RB Leipzig’s goals as Hertha lost 3-0 at home.

“It’s like puberty for him, he’s kind of a rebel. He has to work and learn like an animal,” Dardai told Bild.

“In training, I always stop these kind of duels because you can’t fall to the ground like this. And, afterwards, he’s mad.”

Hertha Berlin are having a difficult season and find themselves just one place above the relegation zone.

It remains to be seen whether Guendouzi has a future at Arsenal, with Mikel Arteta believed to be not the biggest fan of the midfielder.