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    Report: Matteo Guendouzi Absent vs. Newcastle After Argument with Mikel Arteta

    Christopher Simpson@@CJSimpsonBRFeatured ColumnistFebruary 17, 2020

    BURNLEY, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 02: Matteo Guendouzi of Arsenal in action during the Premier League match between Burnley FC and Arsenal FC at Turf Moor on February 2, 2020 in Burnley, United Kingdom. (Photo by Visionhaus)
    Visionhaus/Getty Images

    Matteo Guendouzi was reportedly left out of Arsenal's 4-0 Premier League win over Newcastle United on Sunday following an argument with manager Mikel Arteta.

    According to The Telegraph's Sam Dean, Guendouzi got into a "heated row" with the Spaniard and the coaching staff during their warm-weather training camp in Dubai.

    It's said the clash started in training and continued at the team hotel.

    Per Dean, after the win against Newcastle, Arteta said the player's behaviour and work in training were the reasons he was dropped:

    Sam Dean @SamJDean

    @TeleFootball Arteta hinted at the disciplinary issue with Guendouzi last night, telling beIN SPORTS: “The reason is that players who, in my opinion, are training better, behaving better and are more applied to deliver on the pitch what we want, are the players that are selected.”

    The 20-year-old has been a regular fixture and a key part of Arsenal's midfield for the Gunners since his arrival from FC Lorient in 2018:

    Orbinho @Orbinho

    Only three players have played more Premier League games for Arsenal than Matteo Guendouzi since he joined the club Aubameyang 59 Leno 57 Torreira 56 Guendouzi 54 #Dropped

    An all-action presence in the centre, he often drives the team forwards, and he puts in plenty of defensive work, too.

    His performances and development have somewhat stalled of late, though.

    Reach PLC football editor Tom Marshall-Bailey and TalkSport's Matt Scott were critical of his performance in Arsenal's 0-0 draw with Burnley prior to the winter break:

    Report: Matteo Guendouzi Absent vs. Newcastle After Argument with Mikel Arteta
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    Tom Marshall-Bailey @TomMarshall_B

    Guendouzi might be delighting fans with being a wind-up merchant but he ought to concentrate on improving. Ceballos must be scratching his head what he has to do to get any minutes in this team after that performance.

    Matt Scott @Matt5cott

    Guendouzi is as frustrating a player as I’ve ever seen. The number of chances he has to play the ball forward into dangerous channels but then squanders is so disappointing.

    Football.London's James Benge is a huge admirer of the youngster, though:

    James Benge @jamesbenge

    - Second behind Nicolas Pepe for most successful dribbles - Has, by force of will if nothing else, turned two Premier League games in Arsenal's favour (win over Aston Villa, draw with Spurs) Oh and he's 20. Finished article? No. Raw and occasionally tempestous? Absolutely.

    His replacement against Newcastle, Dani Ceballos, made his first Premier League appearance since November.

    The midfielder impressed with an influential showing against the Magpies, particularly in the second half as Arsenal blew their opponents away with goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Nicolas Pepe, Mesut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette.

    Ceballos' performance warrants a run in the side in the coming weeks, so Guendouzi may be set for a spell out of the team, but the youngster could benefit long-term from having the competition.