Guendouzi addresses his bad boy image at Arsenal

The Frenchman has addressed claims of being a ‘bad boy’ and his future plans once he returns to Arsenal in the summer.

Matteo Guendouzi insists he is quite the opposite of a ‘bad boy’ and suggested he could be back at Arsenal for next season.

As questions arose about Guendouzi’s attitude last season, Mikel Arteta sent the midfielder out on loan to Hertha BSC in Germany. He has since made 19 appearances for the German club and sees no reason to change.

“I’m not a bad boy, quite the contrary,” Guendouzi told France Football.

“If you want to succeed, you have to have a very good character, but also this personality to always want to be the best, always to want to win, to progress. It will differentiate you.

Hertha coach Pal Dardai on Matteo Guendouzi:

🗣 "It's like puberty for him, he's kind of a rebel. He has to work and learn like an animal." [Bild] pic.twitter.com/fm96vHlQjQ

— Goal (@goal) February 23, 2021

“There are a lot of very good players. Excellent people have failed to turn pro and, for these cases, the mentality has a very large part of the responsibility.

“My character and my personality have allowed me to do great things. It will still help me to go to the highest level.”

Guendouzi, who joined Arsenal in July 2018, has one year left on his Gunners contract.

“I am focused on my season at Hertha,” the 21-year-old said on his future.

“Then, we will make a point with my entourage and the people of the club to ask and discuss the future.

“I am still an Arsenal player. This summer will be a decisive deadline. I belong to Arsenal for another year. I am here [at Hertha] to improve.

“From the moment that I am playing for Arsenal, I will give everything for this club, for the fans, for the team, for the staff. I will work hard for the shirt as I have always done.”