French midfielder Mattéo Guendouzi has said he received a warmer welcome at the Serie A club Lazio than at former side Arsenal.
Giendouzi joined Lazio from Marseille last summer and has already made eight appearances for the club.
“The coach wanted me and called me to say that I’d further develop with him,” the former Arsenal midfielder told Il Messaggero newspaper via Football Italia.
“It happened at the end of July and I was already eager to play in Serie A. I had played against Sarri four times in England and I liked his attacking mentality for a midfielder. I still need to understand some tactics, but we have the same winning mentality.”
On what life is like in the city, the 24-year-old said:“I’ve walked around the city with my wife and daughter.
“The fans’ passion in this city is amazing. I was welcomed warmly, like in Marseille. Surely more than at Arsenal. I will give it back with interest.”
Guendouzi played 82 games for Arsenal, scoring one goal however, his stint at Marseille was more successful as he managed 10 goals and 19 assists in 103 appearances with the French club.
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“I’ve wanted to win at all costs since childhood,” Guendouzi continued.
“This is why I can have strong reactions sometimes. My character has allowed me to become a footballer, be here and play for France’s national team. I’ve changed a little, I’ve learned from mistakes. I am less instinctive now, but I still want to be the best and I came to Lazio with the idea of winning more trophies.”
The midfielder started the last two Serie A games for Lazio and was instrumental in a 2-1 Champions League win at Celtic, delivering an assist for a late Pedro winner.
Guendouzi was approached by former Morocco coach Hervé Renard in 2017 to change allegiances to play for the Morocco national team.
However, after Guendouzi’s father met Renard in March 2017, Guendouzi decided to remain and pledge allegiance to France.
On 2 September 2019, Guendouzi was called up to the French senior side for the first time to replace the injured Paul Pogba for UEFA Euro 2020 qualifiers against Albania and Andorra.
He was part of the French squad that won the 2020/21 UEFA Nations League and was also included in the side that finished runners-up at the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.
