Matteo Guendouzi has reportedly informed Arsenal he is open to leaving in the summer believing he is not trusted by manager Mikel Arteta.
Guendouzi came under criticism after he grabbed Brighton and Hove Albion striker Neal Maupay by the throat following the Gunners’ 2-1 loss.
He was then accused of gloating about his £40,000-a-week wages to Seagull stars, leaving Arsenal chiefs fuming.
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It was his latest in a string of sarcastic barbs on and off the pitch, having infamously rilled up Tottenham Hotspur and Watford fans.
Guendouzi – who somehow avoided a ban for his clash with Maupay – was benched against Southampton as the Gunners won their first game since the Premier League restart.
And according to French outlet L’Equipe, the midfielder feels he has not got the backing of manager Arteta and told club bosses he is open to leaving in the summer.
The 21-year-old has started just four of Arteta’s 12 league matches, and it is said that Guendouzi is fearing he will lose out on a place in France’s squad for next summer’s European championship.
Amid the player’s uncertain future, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan are all linked with a summer transfer move for him.
Despite Guendouzi’s ludicrous antics against Brighton, Arteta insisted he was not dropped against Southampton because of his attitude.
“It was squad management. I don’t like to make any decisions to send messages,” he said.
“The messages that I send to the team or individually are very open and I’m clear with how I feel.
“Winning is the most important thing and when you win, everything is fine. Whatever issue we have internally, I will resolve it in a private way. I explained that I cannot explain and that’s it.”
