Mikel Arteta is ready to sell Matteo Guendouzi after midfielder taunted Brighton players

Mikel Arteta is open to offloading Matteo Guendouzi with frustration mounting over the midfielder’s antics – including catching him on camera acting up during training.

Arteta’s patience is being tested by Guendouzi who clashed with match-winner Neal Maupay following Arsenal’s defeat at Brighton on Saturday. Maupay accused his countryman of lacking humility for things he said during the game at The Amex.

Sportsmail revealed on Monday that among the words exchanged were taunts from Guendouzi about how much he and Arsenal’s players earned compared to Brighton’s. 

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta (centre) could sell Matteo Guendouzi (left) after several incidents

Guendouzi (second from right) rowed with striker Neal Maupay as Arsenal lost 2-1 at Brighton

 The Arsenal midfielder escaped an FA charge for grabbing Maupay by the throat at the end

The incident is the latest that has led to questions about Guendouzi’s attitude, a situation that Arteta, who is demanding high behavioural standards as he bids to change the culture at Arsenal, has privately been left unimpressed by.

Sportsmail understands Arteta had the Frenchman’s card marked from early in his reign when he learned Guendouzi had been acting up while re-watching training footage on one occasion during the early days of his reign.

While Arteta’s back was turned a distracted Guendouzi could be seen ‘messing about’ at a time when the manager wanted full focus from his players.

The Frenchman was accused of showing a lack of humility and issuing taunts at Albion players

Arteta is thought to have been angered by Guendouzi following a training ground indiscretion

Arteta was not best pleased and it is viewed as no coincidence that Guendouzi started just two of the Spaniard’s first 10 league games. 

Guendouzi was dropped altogether for the February win over Newcastle with Arteta less than impressed with his attitude during their mid-winter training camp in Dubai.

Guendouzi has started both of Arsenal’s games since the season resumed though four months on, his attitude is being questioned once again.

Some of his teammates are also understood to have taken a dim view of some of his antics during his time at the club.

Club legend Ian Wright praised Guendouzi for showing some ‘fight’ and he is renowned around the club for being a bad loser and showing the same desire in training as well as matches.

Concerns remain, though, that he has not yet learnt how to channel his aggression in the right way and how much longer Arteta is prepared to wait remains to be seen. 

When watching back training footage, it is claimed Guendouzi was acting up and not focused