Matteo Guendouzi's role in Arsenal's summer plan for Nicolas Pepe after Mikel Arteta lesson

Mikel Arteta has attempted to improve the culture at Arsenal and create a level of accountability within the group. Players have left the club over the course of his tenure to an extent where only three players that didn’t graduate from the Hale End academy and were signed prior to the Spaniard’s arrival played in the 2-1 Brentford win.

Arteta has seen players such as Mesut Ozil, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and more leave Arsenal, not due to their lack of quality, but because they failed to meet his expectations at the club.

Matteo Guendouzi seemingly also fell into this category but is making the Gunners manager look regretfully at what could have been with his performances for Marseille this season.

The French club have an €11m (£9.5m) option on the France international understands, a figure far lower than his current market value.

It is clear that the exile from the club and diminishing contract at Arsenal has seriously impacted what the club would make from Guendouzi's sale.

However, interestingly, Arteta appears to be turning a corner in this regard to try not to see the value of possible future sales diminished by either his words in interviews or a lack of opportunity on the field.

Nicolas Pepe’s situation at Arsenal continues to look unstable. understands that the player was to consider his options in the winter window just gone were his status in the side not to improve.

However, a combination of participation at the African Cup of Nations and a lack of concrete offers meant he has stayed with the club. Marseille and Lyon reportedly made enquiries about the Ivorian though and could return in the summer.

When asked about Pepe’s future, despite a lack of opportunities being afforded to the 26-year-old, Mikel