Matteo Guendouzi has started both of Arsenal’s games in the Premier League this past week but he has been living in fear of missing out against Southampton.
The midfielder grabbed Brighton’s Neal Maupay by the neck after Arsenal lost to the Seagulls on Saturday, following which the FA launched an investigation into the whole matter.
If found guilty, Matteo Guendouzi was set to receive a retrospective ban but thankfully, the Frenchman has spaced any sort of punishment thank to VAR.
The Daily Mail are reporting: “Matteo Guendouzi will face no further action after grabbing Brighton’s Neal Maupay by the throat in the latter stages of Arsenal’s defeat at the Amex on Saturday.
“The FA have confirmed that Guendouzi’s actions were not seen by match officials at the time, but the incident was subsequently reviewed by VAR, who decided not to take action.
“Therefore, the Arsenal midfielder will be free to line up for the Gunners in Thursday’s game away at Southampton, before an FA Cup clash with Sheffield United on Sunday.
“The FA have confirmed that both Brighton and Arsenal have also been warned and reminded of their responsibilities following the late confrontation between their players in the Premier League clash.”
Will Matteo Guendouzi start vs Southampton?
Arsenal's Matteo Guendouzi will face no further action over the Neal Maupay incident ❌
Is this the right call or has he gotten away with one? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/Yx1nJQEUTE
— Soccer AM (@SoccerAM) June 22, 2020
This is a huge sigh of relief for Mikel Arteta since the manager has been dealing with numerous injuries and right now both Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira are out injured.
So if Matteo Guendouzi was not available then young Joe Willock and Bukayo Saka might have had to fit into central midfield against the Saints at the St Mary’s Stadium.
But now that the Frenchman is back in contention, he is a guaranteed starter alongside Dani Ceballos. Some pundits also think Mesut Ozil will be recalled to the starting line-up after the German has been absent for the first two matches.
