Matteo Guendouzi has insisted he has better hair than David Luiz, but the Arsenal midfielder reckons the Brazil defender and other summer signings make the Gunners squad a cut above last season.
Unai Emery admitted last week he does not know if Arsenal are stronger than the squad which reached last season's Europa League final and missed out on the Champions League.
But the French midfielder told Canal Football Club: “I don't think we are outsiders. Compared to last season, we have a really good squad and stadium and I believe in our ability to finish in the top four and play the Champions League next season. The objective is to qualify for the Champions League.”
Guendouzi, who joined from Lorient in July 2018, said fellow French speakers Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were like “two big brothers” who helped him settle in at the Emirates.
And the 20-year-old said the two strikers will form a deadly partnership with new £72m signing Nicolas Pepe. “He is a great guy and he is going to bring us a lot.” he said. “We have already seen when he came on against Burnley that he has the ability to beat players. And I think with Lacazette and Aubameyang, they are going to score a lot of goals this season.”
But long-haired Guendouzi said his barnet was still the king of North London even after the arrival of David Luiz from Chelsea . “I prefer my hair – it is more beautiful,” he said.
Guendouzi has established himself as an important first-team player since his move last summer, making 48 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal last season.
He has yet to win his first senior cap for the French national team but it is surely only a matter of time before he is considered by their World Cup-winning manager Didier Deschamps.
