Matteo Guendouzi has expressed his delight at playing for one of “Europe’s biggest clubs” following his move to Marseille.
The Arsenal outcast completed his move to the Ligue 1 giants, where he will join on an initial season-long loan deal with an obligation for them to make the move permanent next summer.
Guendouzi fell out of favour under Mikel Arteta thanks to an ugly on-field altercation with Brighton striker Neal Maupay shortly after Project Restart.
The 22-year-old spent last season with Hertha Berlin, but his performances didn’t do enough to convince Arteta to give him a second chance.
“It gives me immense pride to be at Marseille,” Guendouzi told the club’s official site. “I am very happy to have come here, very happy to be in a big club, a big, historic club like Marseille.”
His new club will be competing in the Europa League next season, unlike Arsenal, who failed to secure European football for the first time in 25 years.
And in what appeared to be a dig at his parent club, Guendouzi took great delight in the fact that Marseille have previously won the European Cup.
“I am very happy to be at Marseille today,” he continued. “Marseille are one of the biggest European clubs. We know that very well.
“They have already won the Champions’ League. That is not the case for everyone. There are many who would like to have had it.”
Guendouzi admitted that the opportunity to work with Jorge Sampaoli and is backing his new manager to make him a “better player and man”.
He added: “I spoke several times with him. It is in large part thanks to him that I am coming to Marseille. I had very good discussions with him.
“From our first conversation, there was a very good feeling. It just confirmed to me my desire to join Marseille. His discourse was very positive.
“I feel truly that there is a really nice project, some very nice things that are in the process of being built.
“With a great coach like him, I know that I am going to improve a lot collectively and, also, I know that individually, he is going to bring me a lot to make me a better player and man.”
The Frenchman made 83 appearances for the Gunners during his time at the Emirates and he thinks he can bring something fresh and exciting to his new team.
“I think I can bring something fresh, my love for life and of course all my qualities on the pitch,” he said.
“I am going to fight for the team and to have the best possible results. From the moment where I give the best of myself, I am going to help the team.
“We already have a really good team, a very great team with very good and very great players.”
