Matteo Guendouzi has been included in the 20-man shortlist for the 2019 Golden Boy award, run by the Italian publication Tuttosport and awarded by European journalists to the best footballer under the age of 21 playing in Europe.
The France under-21 international has made 57 appearances for Arsenal since moving to the Emirates from Lorient in July 2018 and recently picked up the Gunners’ player of the month award for September.
Arsenal Academy graduates Reiss Nelson, Eddie Nketiah and Joe Willock were on the initial 80-man longlist.
Cesc Fabregas is the only former Gunner to have won the award since its inauguration in 2003. The Spaniard won the gong in 2006, impressing for Arsenal on the road to the Champions League final.
Guendouzi, 20, has stiff competition this year with the likes of Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid) and last year’s winner Matthijs De Ligt (Juventus) also on the list.
The winner will be announced on December 16 in Turin.
20-MAN SHORTLIST
Matthijs De Ligt, Juventus
Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich
Gianluigi Donnurumma, AC Milan
Ansu Fati, Barcelona
Phil Foden, Man City
Matteo Guendouzi, Arsenal
Erling Braut Haaland, Red Bull Salzburg
Joao Felix, Atletico Madrid
Dejan Joveljic, Eintracht Frankfurt
Moise Kean, Everton
Kangin Lee, Valencia
Adrij Lunin, Valladolid
Donyell Malen, PSV Eindhoven
Mason Mount, Chelsea
Rodrygo, Real Madrid
Jadon Sancho, Borussia Dortmund
Ferran Torres, Valencia
Vinicius Jr, Real Madrid
Nicolo Zaniolo, Rome
