Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been commended for his handling of the Matteo Guendouzi situation.
Arteta and Guendouzi fell out at the back end of last season with the Spaniard calling out his midfielder for his attitude following a Premier League clash with Brighton.
And it was no surprise to see Guendouzi depart this summer, joining Hertha Berlin on a season-long loan deal with little hope of playtime at the Emirates Stadium following that disagreement with his boss.
Former Manchester City defender turned Match of the Day pundit Micah Richards has spoken about that situation in his Daily Mail column, praising Arteta for his 'firm' stance.
"Arteta won’t stand for any messing and it is no coincidence that Guendouzi has been sent on loan to Hertha Berlin, having not kicked a ball since a game at Brighton in June," he wrote.
"Guendouzi was involved in a spat with Neal Maupay and was said to have asked Brighton’s players how much they were earning. Whatever happened, Arteta didn’t stand for it and sent him on his way.
"It’s firm and decisive action that showed who is in charge. There is nothing soft about Arteta."
Richards had plenty of praise for Arteta but he did warn that it is 'only a start' and that the Gunners should be 'looking at top four' this season.
"What I think is important to point out, however, is the fact this is only a start," he added. "Arsenal are in a good moment but let’s be honest - he hasn’t lifted a side that was marooned at the bottom of the table and taken them to unprecedented heights.
"This is Arsenal and Arteta walked into a club that had one of the world’s best strikers in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, a £72million winger in Nicolas Pepe; he’s signed Willian and he’s got a brilliant talent in Eddie Nketiah emerging.
"When you add in that they have just signed Thomas Partey - what an unbelievable piece of business that could prove, as the Ghanaian was outstanding for Atletico Madrid - Arteta has got a lot of quality to choose from. Arsenal, really, should be looking at the top four."
