Bruno Guimaraes would give the Arsenal midfield a new lease of life as they prepare to defend the Premier League title.
Mikel Arteta could axe Martin Zubimendi as part of a new-look Arsenal midfield built around Bruno Guimaraes. The Newcastle United captain has recently been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium as the Gunners prepare to defend the Premier League title.
According to The Athletic, the Gunners have made a verbal offer to sign Guimaraes, whose contract at St. James’ Park expires in June 2028. The report claims that the proposal, communicated to the Magpies via intermediaries, was worth less than £60million and was rejected.
It’s said that Newcastle will not entertain offers for the 28-year-old midfielder, with Sandro Tonali also subject to interest but from elsewhere. Although it could be difficult to reach an agreement, Arsenal need to do whatever it takes to secure his signature.
Whether he’s dictating the tempo of possession and screening the backline or breaking up play and crashing into the opposition box, Guimaraes would significantly bolster the starting lineup, regardless of his role in the middle of the park.
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By signing the Brazilian, who’s currently preparing for a last-32 clash against Japan at the World Cup, Arteta could transform his midfield into a far more flexible, free-flowing unit. Guimaraes and Declan Rice could interchange between the six and the eight, giving Martin Odegaard the license to roam in the final third.
Equally, if the England international needs to be rested, the Magpies midfielder would be more than capable of playing in the pivot, something which Zubimendi sometimes struggled to do last term. Ultimately, Guimaraes would allow Arteta to field a much stronger core in the so-called ‘big games’ while providing more opportunities for Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Back in March 2022, just three months after joining Newcastle from Lyon for £40m, the Arsenal target discussed his favourite roles in midfield. Speaking to Globo, Guimaraes said: “I’ve already done everything here (laughs).
“In the first three games, I played in different positions. In the first, we played with two in the middle. In the second, we played with two midfielders. Then I played first man.
“I can do all the functions, I’m happy, but if I have a preference, I’d rather be second wheel. It was the role I played at Athletico-PR and Lyon. But I can also play first.”
Guimaraes, whose versatility makes him such an attractive piece on the board, continued: “It’s a big step. Even more so if there are only 23 players called up. Being able to play in more than one position is very important.
“I prefer to play as a second defensive midfielder, but I also play as a number 10 and a number five. But the person who can play in more than one position in modern football is always one step ahead.”
Then, in an interview with Sky Sports in October 2022, Guimaraes claimed he prefers playing as a number eight. He said: “To be honest, if you ask me this question, I have to say I prefer to play at number eight, but I think my role here, at number six, is exactly what the team needs.
“It is to take the ball out, to do some passes, to find the wingers and the strikers. I can play both positions, but Eddie [Howe] has a choice to make and, for me, the most important thing is just to play and to help Newcastle get the three points.
“I think my best position is at number eight, but I can play at number six. It’s no problem for me…”
By signing Guimaraes, Arteta could field a double pivot that gives Odegaard a bit more freedom to pull the strings in the final third without losing the quality of Rice. Unfortunately for Zubimendi, however, that would mean he would be axed and have to earn his minutes.
Dream Arsenal midfield in full: Declan Rice, Bruno Guimaraes, and Martin Odegaard, with Martin Zubimendi, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Mikel Merino assigned as ‘finishers’.
