Matteo Guendouzi has insisted that he still thinks he has a future at Arsenal after leaving the club to join Hertha Berlin on a season-long loan.
The 21-year-old midfielder has not played for the Gunners since he was involved in a scuffle with Brighton's Neal Maupay following his side's 2-1 defeat to the Seagulls last season.
It is believed he and manager Mikel Arteta fell out as a result of his conduct at the Amex, and Guendouzi has been completely frozen out ever since.
He is currently on international duty with France U21s, and speaking following their 5-0 win over Liechtenstein on Thursday Guendouzi rejected claims that his relationship with Arteta was beyond repair.
When asked if a future at Arsenal was impossible, he replied: "It is not that, I just really needed to play this year, a new challenge.
"That was the most important thing for me. I am still young, I am only 21, so playing time was the top priority for me.
"I know that by going to Hertha Berlin, I’ll be able to really express myself in a great league, so everything is perfect.
“They’re a very good German club, with great ambition, so I’ve gone on loan for a year over there.
"I’m going to give everything for this club. I needed game time, to enjoy myself on the pitch and that’s what I’m going to do this year."
It remains to be seen whether Guendouzi can play his way back into the reckoning at Arsenal if he impresses in Germany, but it seems he will have to play out of his skin if he is to convince Arteta he is worth bringing back into the fold.
Guendouzi could make his debut after the international break when Hertha take on Stuttgart in the Bundesliga on October 17.
