The impressive form of Matteo Guendouzi has come as a “very big, positive surprise” at Arsenal, manager Unai Emery has admitted.
Signed from French second-tier side Lorient in the summer for around £7 million ($9.4m), little was expected of the 19-year-old yet he has started both of the Gunners’ Premier League fixtures, defeats against Manchester City and Chelsea.
During these encounters, he has, however, been one of the most eye-catching players for his side and is expected to feature from the outset against West Ham.
Even Emery did not dare to predict such a level of success so rapidly.