Arsenal drew 2-2 with Tottenham Hotspur in the North Lonon derby at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. The Gunners had gone down 2-0 but showed great fighting spirit to force a draw.
Alexandre Lacazette and Piere Aubameyang got the goals for the Unai Emery’s side but there was one player who deservedly got more praise than the two strikers. French midfielder Matteo Guendouzi was easily the stand out performer from the match and was named the man of the match.
Guendouzi showed flashes of brilliance in his first Premier League season last year but his input against Spurs was the coming of age sort of performance. He was tackling, covering the full-backs, passing the ball with great maturity and basically ran the show.
At only 20 years of age, the youngster still has a lot of learning to do but he is doing rate at a very commendable rate. He capped off his performance with a wonderful assist for Aubameyang’s equalizer with only 20 minutes of play left.
Just how has Matteo seen that pass? 🤭
Magic from @MatteoGuendouzi 🧙♂️#ARSTOT pic.twitter.com/gp05YZpJWn
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 2, 2019
The player signed for the Gunners in the summer of 2018 from Ligue 2 side Lorient. His impact has been positive and Arsenal fans were quick to laud his growth especially after the Spurs match..
That performance at 20 in the North London Derby 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 Magnificent @MatteoGuendouzi ♥️♥️ Arsenal fans protect him at all costs.
— Ian Wright (@IanWright0) September 1, 2019
Have to say though, Matteo Guendouzi had a hell of a game.
Second half in particular he was really important,. involved in both our goals, and for 20 years of age that was a very mature performance.
Laca v good, and Ceballos helped pile on pressure when he came on.
— arseblog (@arseblog) September 1, 2019
If you ever asked yourself how would a player with the best of Zidane, Pirlo and Xavi play, that’s Matteo Guendouzi today
— Aubazettes (@Aubazettes) September 1, 2019
He was brilliant. Keep going @MatteoGuendouzi – you’re going to be one of the best players in the world. 👏👏 https://t.co/qhB4rB3r2r
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) September 1, 2019
Matteo Guendouzi only 20, still plenty to learn, but arguably now #afc most influential midfield player: work-rate, tackling, defiance and balls like that, brilliantly turned in by Aubameyang. 2-2. #NLD #ARSTOT
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) September 1, 2019
One pass from Guendouzi and eight players are out of the game. This kid is phenomenal.
— James Benge (@jamesbenge) September 1, 2019