'I'm still an Arsenal player' – Matteo Guendouzi hints at Gunners return

On-loan Arsenal star Matteo Guendouzi was this evening drawn on his future, with the midfielder having hinted that his career in north London may not have reached its conclusion just yet.

Hertha stint
Guendouzi was of course granted permission to depart Arsenal last summer.

This came with the Frenchman having been frozen out by Mikel Arteta, after being accused of taunting Brighton's stars over finances during a defeat at the Amex back in June.

Guendouzi made the move to Bundesliga outfit Hertha Berlin, for the 2020/21 campaign.

To say that his time in the German capital has since proven hit-and-miss, though, would be putting it lightly.

At one point in the season, the midfield talent had actually established himself as a key performer at the base of Hertha's midfield, starting week-in, week-out, and even chipping in with the occasional goal:

Mattéo Guendouzi gets @HerthaBSC_EN on the board with this marvelous curl. 😍 pic.twitter.com/uavdcJYyed

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 2, 2021

Recent weeks, however, have proven of an altogether more testing nature for Guendouzi.

On the back of a change on the bench at the Olympiastadion, Arsenal's midfield loanee has fallen out of favour, as Pal Dardai opts for the likes of Lucas Tousart and Sami Khedira to man Hertha's midfield ranks, amid a tense battle against the drop.

All told, Guendouzi has managed starts in just one of Die Alte Dame's last six Bundesliga outings, albeit with his latest absence, this past weekend, having come as a result of a fitness issue.

'Summer will be decisive'
In turn, as things stand, it looks altogether unlikely that Hertha will be willing to pay the kind of fee that Arsenal are set to demand for Guendouzi's signature this summer.

The former Lorient man's recent struggles for game-time, though, could well see other potential suitors drop out of the running over the weeks and months ahead.

The very realistic possibility therefore exists that Mikel Arteta and co. will be left with no choice but to welcome Guendouzi back to the Emirates ahead of next season.

And, as outlined above, this is an option which the 21-year-old himself does not appear all that opposed to.

Speaking in an interview with France Football this evening, Guendouzi was drawn on a host of topics, including, unsurprisingly, his future at club level.

And, when asked directly whether he views his time at Arsenal as being 'over', the midfielder went on to explain:

'Not at all. I am focused on my season at Hertha Berlin. Then, we will make a point with my entourage and the people of the club to ask and discuss the future.'

'I am still an Arsenal player. This summer will be a decisive deadline.'