Transfer Centre

Matteo Guendouzi confirms Arsenal exit

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 05 July 2021

Matteo Guendouzi confirms on social media that he will be leaving Arsenal ahead of an expected transfer to Marseille on a four-year deal.

Matteo Guendouzi has confirmed that he will be leaving Arsenal ahead of an expected transfer to Marseille.

The former Lorient man lost the trust of Mikel Arteta following his skirmish with Brighton & Hove Albion's Neal Maupay during the 2019-20 season, and he has not played for the Gunners since.

Guendouzi spent the 2020-21 season on loan at Hertha Berlin, who turned down the chance to sign him on a permanent basis, and he is now understood to have agreed a four-year deal with Marseille to return to France.

On Monday morning, Guendouzi took to Twitter to confirm his Arsenal exit, saying: "I will never forget the Emirates Stadium. I will never forget the fans. I won't forget the city.

"I will never forget everything I've been through here. I will never forget that my only will was to defend with pride Arsenal colors.

"Thanks to all of those who believed in me during my time here, during the good and the bad moments. I can only wish the best to the club and its fans who deserve so much, trust me! Goodbye Arsenal, I will never forget and will be a gooner forever."

Guendouzi leaves Arsenal having scored one goal and assisted five more in 82 appearances for the club, and the Gunners are reportedly set to pocket approximately £10m from his departure.

The Frenchman will supposedly be joined by his compatriot William Saliba at Les Olympiens, with the Gunners defender set for his third loan spell away from the club - this time for a full season - in Ligue 1.