Alan Shearer praised ‘warrior’ Matteo Guendouzi after the midfielder inspired a second-half turnaround in Arsenal’s win over Aston Villa.
Shearer also praised the Gunners’ substitutions after ten-man Arsenal twice came from behind to beat Aston Villa 3-2 in their Premier League clash at the Emirates on Sunday.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored a late winner after the Gunners twice had to equalise, with Villa strikes from John McGinn and Wesley cancelled out by a Nicolas Pepe penalty and a goal from substitute Calum Chambers.
Arsenal’s task had been made even more difficult by the fact Ainsley Maitland-Niles had been sent off four minutes before half-time for crashing into Neil Taylor and earning a second yellow card.
Manager Unai Emery therefore had to reorganise for the second half.
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With his side 1-0 down at that point he brought on defender Chambers for winger Buyako Sako at the restart, while later in the second period Joe Willock and Lucas Torreira came on for Granit Xhaka and Dani Ceballos.
And former Newcastle and England striker Shearer, speaking in his role as a pundit on the BBC’s Match of the Day 2, said Arsenal showed huge character to complete their second-half fightback.
“The change in their attitude was incredible in the second half,” said Shearer.
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“Saka came off and Chambers on, they committed men forward and played with more pace. The intent was really there.”
Guendouzi led by example, completing more passes and taking more touches than any other player on the pitch, and Shearer described the 20-year-old as “a warrior”.
“It started from Guendouzi, he was magnificent,” said Shearer. “They needed a warrior and he stood up.
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“We have questioned Arsenal’s character so we have to give them praise when they do well.
“Unai Emery’s substitutions worked perfectly.”
The win moved Arsenal up to fourth place in the Premier League, with a trip to face Manchester United next in the Premier League on September 30 following Tuesday’s EFL Cup clash at home to Nottongham Forest.
