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Guendouzi fighting for Arsenal future after being dumped by Mikel Arteta after ‘row with staff during winter break’
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MATTEO GUENDOUZI is fighting for his Arsenal future after he was sensationally axed in the win over Newcastle following a row with boss Mikel Arteta, according to reports.
The Gunners midfielder was left out of the squad in the 4-0 victory over the Toon following an incident that took place during their winter break to Dubai.
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, the 20-year-old star and his boss Arteta clashed on the training ground which further escalated with staff members at the club's hotel.
It is claimed the Spaniard was also left unimpressed with his attitude and body language in the build-up to their argument.
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Guendouzi has been a key figure of Arsenal's side this season having featured in every matchday squad.
He has made 21 league appearances throughout the campaign but has only started twice in the Prem since Arteta took charge of his first game on December 26.
When quizzed on Guendouzi's absence, Arteta had hinted that it was regarding his behaviour.
He told beIN SPORTS: "The reason is that players who, in my opinion, are training better, behaving better and are more applied to deliver on the pitch what we want, are the players that are selected.”
Arteta has previously stressed the importance of discipline and revealed he would be ruthless in a bid to get the best out of his squad.
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On his Arsenal unveiling he said: "What I’ve mostly learned from Pep (Guardiola) is that you have to be consistently ruthless and you have to fit the culture of the club every day to create a winning mentality."
Arteta will now have to decide whether to bring Guendouzi back into his squad for the Europa League trip to Olympiacos on Thursday.
His absence meant Dani Ceballos was brought back in from the cold at the weekend against Newcastle as the Spaniard made his first league appearance since November 2.
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