Sam Allardyce has delivered huge praise on Arsenal midfier Matteo Guendouzi

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Sam Allardyce has told TalkSPORT that Arsenal have found a gem in midfielder Matteo Guendouzi, and believes the young Frenchman is improving on his excellent first season this time around.

Guendouzi, 20, was signed from Lorient in the summer of 2018 for a bargain £7.2million (Mirror) as a 19-year-old talent. Fast forward just over 12 months, and he has already clocked up more than 50 appearances for the Gunners.

The midfielder is renowned for his driving runs from midfield, his lung-busting work rate and his excellent passing technique with both feet. Indeed, he has been an excellent signing for the north Londoners – for such a cheap figure.

Former England manager Allardyce has heaped praise on Arsenal for bringing the Frenchman to The Emirates and placing their faith in the youngster. He also believes that Guendouzi is going under the radar, which will only benefit him.

“What a find,” Allardyce said. “He’s unrecognised and he’s going under the radar which is a good thing for him at such a young age. His possession rate, he was thrown in the deep end last season, this year he has got even better.

“He is probably never going to be man of the match. but his consistent level of keeping possession and when he pops up into space and his ability to keep the ball moving is very, very impressive.”

TBR’s view – How much is Arsenal talent Guendouzi worth now?

At the end of August, Guendouzi was reportedly in talks to sign a new five-year deal that would see his pay almost double from £40,000 a week to £70,000, according to the Mirror. It is something that he thoroughly deserves.

The same report values at Guendouzi at over four times the figure Arsenal paid him, so surely Guendouzi is worth at least £30million. But if he continues to improve, his value will only increase given his age. Arsenal will not sell him on the cheap.