EPL: Guimaraes can take Arsenal to next level — Arteta
August 9, 2026 8:32 pm
Arsenal new signing Bruno Guimaraes
Photo: GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes new signing Bruno Guimaraes can help the club reach the “next level” after completing his £75m move from Newcastle United.
The 28-year-old Brazilian midfielder was officially unveiled to Arsenal supporters at Emirates Stadium before the friendly against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.
Guimaraes was not included in the squad for Arsenal’s 3-2 defeat by Dortmund but could make his debut against Como on Wednesday.
Arteta said he was delighted to bring Guimaraes to north London and praised the midfielder’s attitude since joining the club.
As reported by BBC Sport on Sunday, Arteta was quoted as saying, “I’m delighted to have him,” Arteta said. “We see very clearly, especially the energy that he brought immediately to the training ground, the hunger, the desire to come here and create a big history at the club.
“And that’s the ambition that we need.
“We want to go to the next level and are very, very much convinced that we’re going to need players with such a personality, desire and character to push everybody inside the organisation to go even higher.”
Arteta also outlined what Guimaraes could add to his team, highlighting his versatility and ability to contribute in both defence and attack.
“On the pitch, versatility to play in two different positions in relation to what we want or the opponent does,” he said.
“A player which obviously has tremendous timing and intuition to win the ball back and progress play very, very fast.
“He’s a player that is very comfortable putting people through, moving between the lines, moving in behind.
“And then he’s a goal threat. He’s got a smell and a really good timing to get in the box. And he has the capacity to finish the actions.”
The arrival of Guimaraes gives Arteta even more options in midfield, with Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Martin Zubimendi, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri, Eberechi Eze and Mikel Merino also available.
Arsenal have already signed Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge and goalkeeper Illan Meslier on a free transfer. They also attempted to sign Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr, but the Brazilian opted to remain in Spain after agreeing a new six-year contract.
Despite that setback, Arteta indicated that Arsenal remain active in the transfer market and could make further additions.
“Well, that’s what we’re trying to do,” Arteta said. “If we have the right player in the market to make us much better. We are very much looking forward to that.”
The Arsenal boss also provided an update on the club’s injury situation, confirming that Jurrien Timber remains “weeks away” from returning, while William Saliba continues his recovery from a back injury.
Gilbert Ekugbe is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over a decade of experience reporting on business and economic affairs. He covers markets, corporate developments, finance, and Nigeria’s broader economic landscape. His reporting is informed by extensive newsroom experience and a strong commitment to accuracy and responsible journalism, helping readers understand complex business issues.
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