Mikel Arteta has hinted he is ready to reintegrate Matteo Guendouzi into his Arsenal squad.
The midfielder has not played for the club since a match at Brighton in June, when he clashed with Seagulls striker Neal Maupay at the final whistle.
Guendouzi’s attitude has since been called into question and Arteta has referenced how he only wants players who are “on the boat”.
The Frenchman has duly been linked with a move away this summer and Paris Saint-Germain have been touted as a possible destination.
But Arteta has had talks with Guendouzi during the off-season and the 21-year-old could now have a future at Arsenal.
“I have been really clear that everybody starts from zero all the time in football,” said Arteta.
“What you did two weeks ago or two years ago doesn't really matter. It's what you are able to contribute to the team now. Everybody is going to have the same opportunities.
“They'll have to show with their performances and their attitude that they are better than their teammates or somehow contributing to what we want to achieve this season.”
Expanding on his talks with Guendouzi, Arteta said: “To tell him exactly that he’s going to be part of the team and at the moment he’s like any other player in our squad.
“He deserves first of all to be treated exactly the same and I will do that to my best capability.”
