Mikel Arteta was in no mood for expanding on Matteo Guendouzi’s situation despite Arsenal's 2-0 win at Southampton.
The Gunners boss was only interested in doubling down on his pre-game message, but still made clear his displeasure where the young Frenchman was concerned.
Guendouzi, who lost his composure as Arsenal threw away a lead at Brighton to lose at the weekend, was completely left out of the squad for the trip to St Mary’s.
Lucky not to be suspended after grabbing Neal Maupay around the throat, the 21 year-old wasn’t required by Arteta as he returned Granit Xhaka into a midfield alongside Dani Ceballos.
Having already been handed a dressing down earlier this year after the club’s mid-season break in Dubai, Guendouzi’s future under the Spaniard - who’s understood to have reservations about his attitude - is in question.
Claims Guendouzi kept referring to his pay packet during a running verbal battle with Maupay at the weekend won’t have helped him in that respect.
Pre-game, Arteta insisted that his absence against the Saints was down to “squad management”.
Arteta added: “Whatever internal issue we have, we deal with it privately.
"The needs of the team and football club are always the same, put the best players on the football pitch that are 100 percent focused to win the game."
After seeing his side claim victory on a boiling hot day on the south coast, thanks to goals from two other youngsters, Eddie Nketiah and Joe Willock, Arteta was again asked about Guendouzi and his situation.
"It was squad management,” came the initial curt reply.
Pressed again, he added: "Whatever issue we have internally, I will resolve it in a private way. I explained what I can explain and that's it."
Asked if he was sending a message, he declared: "I don't like to make decisions to send messages. The messages I send to the team or individually are very open and clear with how I feel.
“Winning is the most important thing and when you win it's fine."
Having made Guendouzi a pivotal part of his side at the Amex, handing him the important job of holding midfield, Arteta felt he had been let down.
While he may not be interested in sending public messages, his demeanour left no doubts, and behind the scenes he will certainly have got his point across.
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