Former Arsenal striker Jeremie Aliadiere has warned Matteo Guendouzi he has to "grow up" to ensure he fulfils his potential under Mikel Arteta.
After shining in the early stages of the season under Unai Emery, the Frenchman has struggled for minutes since Arteta's arrival.
Guendouzi has started just two Premier League games under the Spaniard and fell out when the pair clashed at Arsenal’s winter training camp in Dubai.
The 21-year-old was subsequently left out of the matchday squad to face Newcastle United, with Arteta unimpressed by his attitude towards a training session.
As a result, Aliadiere, who was playing for Lorient when Guendouzi was coming through the French club’s academy, has warned his former teammate he must 'grow up' or risk being cut out of Arteta's long-term plans.
“Listen, I’m a big fan of the guy,” Aliadiere told Goal.
“He’s like my little brother and I always told him that Arsenal would be a very good team for his development as a player and as a human being.
“He took my advice and came to the club, but I just feel Matteo hasn’t grown up as a human being yet. He’s grown up as a player, he’s matured massively as a player and every year he gets better.
"But unfortunately as a man, he hasn’t grown and matured as much as I thought he would by joining Arsenal.
“I think that’s what he’s missing and that’s why he’s not playing as much under Mikel [Arteta] because Mikel is not really up for that.
“He wants players who are going to do a job for the team and do what they ask him to do. If they are not happy to do that, then he will have someone else do it for him.”
He added: “Matteo’s a top player and he’s shown that since he’s been here.
“And that’s what I’m saying about him maturing as a human being and needing to grow up.
“I saw him coming through the academy when I was at Lorient and having confidence and believing in yourself is amazing and I think at that age it’s a massive quality.
“But I think at some point you have just got to respect and deal with the players and you’ve got to respect your coach.
“There are arguments that just don’t need to be done. I don’t know exactly what happened in Dubai when he fell out with Mikel, but that is not going to help him if he’s going to keep falling out with his coach or team-mates.”
