Matteo Guendouzi was at the centre of a mass brawl following Fenerbahce's 2-1 win over Lyon on Wednesday night, a reminder of the fiery behaviour that ended his Arsenal career under Mikel Arteta. The victory secured Fenerbahce's place in the Champions League league phase, but the midfielder's celebrations after the final whistle sparked chaotic scenes involving players, fans and staff at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais.
Arteta fallout in Dubai
Guendouzi joined Arsenal in 2018 from Lorient when Unai Emery was manager, making 48 appearances in his debut campaign, including 23 Premier League starts. But after Arteta replaced Emery in December 2019, the midfielder made only 12 appearances under the Spaniard.
The turning point came during Arsenal's training camp in Dubai in February 2020. Guendouzi clashed with Arteta and his coaching staff after assistants questioned his attitude and application. The row continued at the team hotel, and Arteta removed him from the squad for the next game against Newcastle United. Guendouzi started the first two matches after the Premier League's Covid-19 break, but his standards slipped again.
Brighton incident ends Arsenal career
Following a 2-1 defeat to Brighton in June 2020, Guendouzi grabbed striker Neal Maupay by the throat and pushed him to the floor. He escaped a red card but never played for Arsenal again. Arteta had said the "door was always open" for a return, but was disappointed the player did not apologise in the days after, according to GOAL.
Guendouzi was loaned to Hertha Berlin the next season, then joined Marseille a year later on loan with an obligation to buy. On Wednesday, the 27-year-old celebrated with arms outstretched after the match, prompting Lyon players to confront him. Team-mates Romelu Lukaku and Ederson backed him, and a man thought to be Lyon staff attempted to kick Guendouzi, triggering the brawl near the tunnel.
Guendouzi's response
Guendouzi later claimed Lyon fans insulted his family during the match and warm-ups, and that no one from the officiating team addressed the chants. He said: "When you have 60,000 people insulting your family, your mother, your children, even before the game and no one on the referee's side tells the crowd to be quiet."
"Because I know that in France, when this kind of thing happens, there comes a point when they will talk to the fans and stop the match. For 90 minutes, even longer with the warm-up, they insulted my family. It's something that gets to you." He added: "If you want to banter, then it goes both ways. They insulted my mother and my family, and to me, that was disrespectful. Beyond that, if we can't celebrate the way we want anymore, I think that's a shame."
