Former Highbury fan favourite Perry Groves has taken aim at Matteo Guendouzi for his actions during and especially after the Brighton clash. The 21-year-old grabbed Neal Maupay by the throat.
The Seagulls forward then said Matteo had told him 'really bad things' during the game and aimed a dig at the Gunners, saying they got 'what they deserved' from the clash and blaming them for the lack of 'humility'.
"The thing that annoys me in Guendouzi," Groves told TalkSport of the incident. "He’s playing in central midfield but doesn’t have the awareness to play that role; getting the ball, getting on the half-turn, bringing people into the game...
"He has energy, like a dog chasing a tyre – his enthusiasm is what he’s about. But I’ve heard a few things that haven’t been great about Guendouzi’s attitude, about having a bit of humility.
"You want your players to be confident and a little bit arrogant on the pitch, but he’s not good enough to go around giving people verbal and giving people stick.
"The team aren’t good enough!
"If Maupay has been getting it in his ear all game from Guendouzi, and then he scores the winner, he’s absolutely within his right to go, 'really, what have you got to say now? You want to give me stick? I’ve just scored the winner!'.
"And for Guendouzi to then grab him round the throat – which will get him a ban – someone needs to tell him to wind his neck in and concentrate on playing."
There is one thing definitely wrong in Groves' assessment: Guendouzi did not get a suspension. The episode was reviewed by VAR so the FA decided against taking action.
Earlier this season, Matteo had a 'heated row' with Mikel Arteta. The Frenchman redeemed himself in the aftermath with the boss explaining that the temporary omission from the squad had been caused by the midfielder's attitude problem.
The 21-year-old is definitely not the best player from the technical perspective but his physical and athletic qualities, as well as work rate and certain nastiness have helped him establish himself as a starter under both Emery and Arteta.
So while the incident with Maupay was perhaps a bit over the top, it shows the midfielder's fighting spirit, something that other players, unfortunately, do not have.
Arsenal legend Ian Wright felt the Brighton man's fall after the contact with Guendouzi was exaggerated.
"He's got that about him as well (Maupay) - you'd think he's been poleaxed, but it's just a little (one)," Wrighty said.
