'He's a pain on a daily basis': Former Lorient boss Mickael Landreau gives insight into life with Matteo Guendouzi as he claims Arsenal loanee was 'very complicated to manage' - echoing the difficulties faced by Mikel Arteta

  • Matteo Guendouzi joined Hertha Berlin on loan after being frozen out at Arsenal 
  • The 21-year-old clashed with Gunners boss Mikel Arteta last season 
  • Mickael Landreau managed Guendouzi at Lorient before he joined Arsenal 
  • And the former PSG and France goalkeeper admitted he is a difficult character 

Former Lorient boss Mickael Landreau has slammed Matteo Guendouzi's attitude and claims the midfielder has an 'oversized ego' and is a pain on a daily basis.

Guendouzi joined Hertha Berlin on loan in the summer after he was frozen out by Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta following a number of incidents both on and off the pitch last season.

Much like the start of his career at the Gunners - who he joined for £8million from Lorient in 2018 - the 21-year-old has made an impressive start to life in the Bundesliga and is quickly becoming a favourite at the German side after just two appearances.

Mickael Landreau has slammed the 'very difficult' attitude of Matteo Guendouzi

Mickael Landreau has slammed the 'very difficult' attitude of Matteo Guendouzi

Guendouzi (left) joined Hertha Berlin on loan in the summer after being frozen out at Arsenal

Guendouzi (left) joined Hertha Berlin on loan in the summer after being frozen out at Arsenal

But speaking to French outlet Canal+, former PSG and France goalkeeper Landreau - who managed Guendouzi at Lorient between 2017 and 2019 - provided an insight into the difficulties of dealing with the France Under-21 captain. 


'He annoyed me terribly, he is very complicated to manage,' said Landreau.

'He sometimes has some behaviours within a group that are very, very hard, but somehow, that's what he is: big.

'He doesn't let go, he is a fighter. He has an oversized ego, but he certainly needs it.

He was frozen out after clashing with Gunners boss Mikel Arteta many times last season

He was frozen out after clashing with Gunners boss Mikel Arteta many times last season

And former goalkeeper Landreau has provided an insight into why he is a 'pain on a daily basis'

And former goalkeeper Landreau has provided an insight into why he is a 'pain on a daily basis'

'I think he needs to be in the spotlight, to be a leader. He needs to be a captain or vice-captain, and he will try to make the most of it.

'Because that's the way he is. And that means that his teammates have to accept him the way he is, because he's a pain on a daily basis.

'He's a pain on a daily basis, but on the other hand, he's talented.'

The comments from Landreau - who made 11 appearances for France and won Ligue 1 with Lille in 2010-11 before going into management - echo the difficulties that Arteta has faced with Guendouzi at Arsenal.

Landreau managed Guendouzi at Lorient for a year before he moved to north London for £8m

Landreau managed Guendouzi at Lorient for a year before he moved to north London for £8m

Guendouzi was dropped by Arteta after he clashed with Neal Maupay at Brighton in June

Guendouzi was dropped by Arteta after he clashed with Neal Maupay at Brighton in June 

The Frenchman was exiled for disciplinary matters after the Gunners' defeat to Brighton last season following the restart, in which the 21-year-old grabbed Neal Maupay around the neck and is said to have mocked the salaries of the Seagulls players.

Arteta and the club handed Guendouzi several chances to apologise for his actions at the Amex but he refused to do so, which saw him exiled and miss the rest of the campaign - including the latter stages of Arsenal's victorious FA Cup campaign - before his move to Germany.

The incident came after the duo had clashed on a separate occasion on a training camp in Dubai in February, with the Gunners once again disappointed with his behaviour.

But recently Guendouzi gave everyone a reminder of the talent he possesses, giving an excellent assist after he pressed and sprinted over 40 yards to set up Colin Dagba in injury time in France U21s's 3-1 win against their Swiss counterparts on Monday. 

However, despite his recent performances the midfielder hinted last month that his time in north London had come to an end.

Guendouzi refused to apologise and had already clashed with Arteta on a Dubai training camp

Guendouzi refused to apologise and had already clashed with Arteta on a Dubai training camp

But Guendouzi recently reminded everyone of his talent with a brilliant assist for France U21s

But Guendouzi recently reminded everyone of his talent with a brilliant assist for France U21s

'I played over 80 games there and had a good, intense time there,' he told German outlet Kicker.

'I learned a lot there in terms of sport and grew up there. It was two good years for me.

'I also had a very good relationship with Mesut Ozil, and Bernd Leno, both of them told me a lot of good things about the Bundesliga.'

Guendouzi however only signed on loan at Hertha for the season and still has two years remaining on his Arsenal contract.

The 21-year-old midfielder still has two years left to run on his contract at Emirates Stadium

The 21-year-old midfielder still has two years left to run on his contract at Emirates Stadium

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