COMMENT: Michael Preetz, Hertha Berlin's football chief, nailed it in one: for Arsenal, Mikel Arteta and Matteo Guendouzi it all gets decided this summer...

Difficult, loud... even arrogant, from former and current coaches and teammates, the claims around Guendouzi have followed the Frenchman from Arsenal to Hertha for this season's loan in Germany. But using such words to describe Guendouzi's personality needn't be a criticism. Indeed, for some whom have worked with France's U21 captain, it's these traits within Guendouzi's character which offer him the chance of great success in the game. It's just a question of whether Mikel Arteta, as Arsenal's manager, is among them.

Any thought of a move away humbling Guendouzi; perhaps forcing him to rethink his relationship with those around him; was dispelled with his week's interview in France Football. The 21 year-old not only unapologetic for his approach, but insisting it was necessary to find his place within Arsenal's hierarchy upon his arrival from Ligue 2Lorient almost three years ago.

"It was an incredible step," Guendouzi recalled. "Between Lorient and Arsenal. Arriving in a big locker room, with very great players, a very big club, a lot of fans and a huge coach, at the beginning, it was impressive. When I signed my contract, I was like, 'Oh yeah, it's really something different. I'm here, I have to show that I'm not afraid'.

"It worked very well. I installed myself directly as a starter. It may have been surprising. This is where the character played. There are huge players who came to England early and didn't make it. Even more in a very big club. If I hadn't had this personality, I would never have played so many matches at Arsenal."

It's an approach and assessment which is understandable. And given his youth, you'd like to think Arteta and his staff would find a way to offer Guendouzi enough leeway to learn from his mistakes. But for now, inside London Colney, the feeling is Arsenal will cut their losses. Clashes with teammates and staff last season were all too much for Arteta. The embarrassment of the Neal Maupay and Brighton episode only exacerbated things. Guendouzi's abrasive, in-your-face approach is not what Arteta - as serious a football man as you'll find in the game - wants as part of his squad.

Shipped off to Hertha, the move wasn't so much organised as part of the player's development path, but more of a shop window. A line hadn't been put through his name, but Guendouzi was - and remains - a step away from being placed on the transfer list.

Guendouzi at the heart of things for Hertha

As Preetz, the former Hertha striker, declared going into January's transfer window, Arteta and Arsenal face a decision. With now less than 18 months to run on his current deal, management must decide whether to keep or sell.

“The starting position is not the worst," said Preetz, “his contract with Arsenal will then only run for one year. There are only two options - either the British extend it or they sell him."

While news has come back from Germany of Guendouzi rowing with teammates, of failing to follow instructions, in Berlin, as Preetz intimated, the feedback is quite the opposite. Indeed, the general belief is if Pai Dardai is to guide Hertha away from the dropzone, he'll need to not only rely on Guendouzi's ability, but also his personality. The youngster singled out by local media as one of the few genuine leaders the coach can call on.

As mentioned, with Guendouzi, it's the total package. Former France goalkeeper Mikael Landreau recalls working with Guendouzi at Lorient and as much as he could be frustrated by the then teen, he knew this larger-than-life character also was an asset on the pitch.

"He annoyed me terribly, he was very difficult to coach," declared Landreau. "But somehow he's exactly what he is: Big! He won't let go, he's a fighter. He has an over-sized ego, but he definitely needs it."

Indeed for Landreau, talk of Dardai giving Guendouzi more responsibility in the season run-in could be Hertha's best shot at avoiding relegation.

"I think he has to be in the spotlight and be a leader. He has to be a captain or a vice-captain and he will try to make the most of it," continued Landreau. "His teammates, however, have to accept him for who he is: 'He can be very annoying, but on the other hand he's talented'."

France's U21 coach Sylvain Ripoll agrees and now counts on Guendouzi as his captain: “Matteo has a lot of personality! He shows a lot of enthusiasm and is very communicative."

"Big!" from Landreau. "Lots of personality!" from Ripoll. You get the picture, the character and the ability of Guendouzi work hand in glove. But can Arteta harness - or even handle - such a mix in a young player?

For Sven Mislintat, who signed the Frenchman for Arsenal as chief scout before departing for VfB Stuttgart, Arteta and co need to think very carefully about letting such a talent slip away. The German says, simply in terms of pure talent and potential, Arsenal have a world-beater on their hands.

"He obviously doesn't get everything right," says Mislintat, "but he plays with a decisiveness and quality that make him an extraordinary player.

"You shouldn't try to change his game but work on the details to improve him, if you are able to do so, you make him a 'monster' midfielder. My personal opinion remains that Matteo would still add some extra qualities to Arsenal's midfield."

This is a test for Arteta. Still not two years into a promising managerial career, Guendouzi offers him a fresh challenge. Is he willing to work with such a player? Can he take the energy and arrogance and push it in the right direction? Or does Arteta simply cut and run? Never to consider such characters for his dressing room again?

For this column, Arteta owes himself the chance to find a way to work and go forward with Guendouzi. As he does Arsenal. The lad from Poissy, the future "monster", has too much potential to cut loose.

But as Preetz says, it's basically now or never. For Arsenal, Arteta and Guendouzi... a decision must be made this summer.