Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi has been handed his debut call up to the senior France squad, replacing Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba who has withdrawn due to injury.
The 20-year-old has nine caps for the French U21 team, including playing in the side that reached the quarter-final of the European U21 Championships in the summer.
Guendouzi joined Arsenal last summer, and has established himself as a key part of Unai Emery’s team, making 48 appearances in all competitions in his debut season in England.
The midfielder has started all four games in the Premier League so far this campaign, putting in a man of the match performance in the north London derby against Spurs on Sunday. An outing which included providing a brilliant assist for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s equalising goal in the second half.
![[FILE] Liverpool’s Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Salah (L) runs with the ball as Arsenal’s Brazilian defender Gabriel closes in during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London. (Photo by Catherine Ivill / POOL / AFP)](https://www.afriupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/000_97B779-scaled-e1703231851386-120x86.jpg "Liverpool host Arsenal in battle for Premier League Christmas No. 1 1")
Guendouzi will join up with his France teammates ahead of the European qualifiers against Albania on September 7th and Andorra three days later.
The club have already shown their delight at the news of the call up, tweeting.
“Matteo Guendouzi has received his first call-up to the France senior squad.
“Vs Albania on September 7th, Vs Andorra on September 10th.
“Contratulations Matteo Gunedouzi, we are so proud of you.”
https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1168528601307893761
Guendouzi will hope to earn his first France cap during the two games, becoming the second France international in the Arsenal squad alongside Alexandre Lacazette, although his teammate has recently fallen out of favour with the national team.
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