Interview

'Guendouzi gives us control, he's very important'

Emery

Matteo Guendouzi delivered arguably his finest display in an Arsenal shirt in the north London derby - and Unai Emery was delighted with his young protege.

Our head coach has started the 20-year-old Frenchman in every game so far this season, and believes he is already showing his vast potential.

"He's very young but he's progressing," Emery said. "Last year was amazing for his progress, taking confidence, taking rhythm and knowing the Premier League. This year he's starting to give us one step more tactically with the ball. 

"He gives us a lot of control and also the combinations for us mean he's very important in the team. He's one of the key players to do that.

"He's working to get a balance defensively and also working on his body to get stronger in the situations needed in the Premier League. Today was one step more but he's very demanding of himself and we're progressing with him. 

"When he's playing like today, I prefer to have the balance. When he's playing maybe a match with less performance, I want to help him to achieve the next step going ahead."