Matteo Guendouzi’s descent into the margins at Arsenal has been brought to an end, at least temporarily.
The France Under-21 midfielder, who has fallen from grace under Mikel Arteta, has completed a loan move to Hertha BSC.
Guendouzi has joined the Bundesliga side on a season-long loan deal, albeit, without an option to make the move permanent.
Guendouzi, who joined Arsenal from Lorient in 2018, has made 82 appearances for the Gunners, but became surplus to requirements after clashing with Arteta.
Initially the 21-year-old had been a key player during the early months of his Emirates tenure, with it noticeable how much Arteta particularly worked with Guendouzi during matches from the touchline.
But he has not been selected in a matchday squad since a post-game incident in June's defeat at Brighton.
That incident, initially involving Neal Maupay, led to further-reaching questions about his attitude, and subsequently saw him jettisoned by Arteta.
Despite continued struggles to strengthen midfield during the transfer window, the Arsenal manager has stuck to his guns and refused to bring Guendouzi back into the fold - suggesting his bridges are firmly burnt with the Spaniard.
Arsenal have been looking to sell Guendouzi throughout the summer, but now have had to settle for a loan move to the German capital.
Guendouzi, who will wear the No.8 shirt for Hertha, declared after his signing: "The discussions with those responsible convinced me [to join].
“I don't just want to develop personally, but help the whole association to take the next step. "I’m buzzing to start life in Berlin as a Hertha player."
He also took to social media to point out his delight at the prospect of playing again, with a rather subtle jab at his former boss.
“Excited to be back on the pitch and defend the colors of Hertha BSC! Let’s go!”
Guendouzi will hope to make his Hertha debut in their next Bundesliga encounter, against Stuttgart, on October 17.
Hertha sit 13th in the at present, and suffered a 4-3 loss to Bayern Munich on Sunday, in which Robert Lewandowski scored all four for the European champions - including a 93rd minute winner from the penalty spot.
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