Emmanuel Petit has told Arsenal midfield Matteo Guendouzi to shut his mouth and concentrate on getting back in favour with Mikel Arteta.
The 21-year-old joined Arsenal in 2018 from French outfit Lorient. He played 82 times for the Gunners across his first two seasons.
Guendouzi fell down the pecking order under Arteta as issues arose with his attitude and conduct at the training ground.
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Petit told Ladbrokes, as cited by The Mirror, that Guendouzi’s call-up for France changed his approach:
“I think things happened too quickly for Guendouzi at a time where he wasn’t strong enough mentally.
“Guendouzi has a volcanic personality. He was called up to the French national team after a good run in the Arsenal team, but I didn’t see him have a very good game in that spell.
“He did OK in games, but as soon as he went to the national team, he changed on the pitch.
“He’s had arguments with referees, opponents, sometimes his own teammates, and I think this is something he has to control. If you want to reach the highest level and stay there, you have to control your emotions.
“He needs to realise this and adapt very quickly because I think he still has qualities and can bring something to Arsenal.
“When you can’t control your emotions, it’s very hard for your teammates to work with you, it’s hard for your fans to back you and it’s hard to keep out of the press limelight.
“But most importantly it’s hard for your manager to pick you. I remember he had a fight with Mikel Arteta and after that we didn’t see him again in an Arsenal shirt.
“You need to keep it in mind that at the end of the day you are just a player. Until you are the best player in the world, which you are not, you shut your mouth and keep working hard and respecting others.
“Is there a future there for him at Arsenal? It’s not too dissimilar to the situation with Granit Xhaka a few years ago when he threw his shirt on the floor and fans turned against him.
“We thought his career at Arsenal was over but after a while he worked his way back into the team and fans forgave him. And he’s done well since he returned.
“You have the right to make mistakes, especially when you’re young. But that means you also have the right to a second chance, but you then have the obligation to learn from your mistakes.
“I wouldn’t mind seeing him back at Arsenal but I don’t think Arteta wants him back, and that’s the main problem.”
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