Bruno Guimarães was unveiled to Arsenal supporters ahead of Sunday’s Emirates Cup clash with Borussia Dortmund, and Mikel Arteta wasted no time explaining why he pushed so hard to sign him.
The Brazil international completed a £75 million move from Newcastle on a four-year deal, joining an already crowded midfield featuring Declan Rice, Martin Ødegaard, Mikel Merino, Martín Zubimendi and Eberechi Eze.
Watching from the stands as Arsenal fell to a 3-2 defeat, though they won the pre-arranged penalty shootout 5-4, Guimarães received an enthusiastic reception that Arteta said spoke for itself.
“You can see the immediate reaction,” Arteta told Arsenal’s website. “I think he describes himself as a warrior. I think he’s a warrior with a tremendous quality as well and intuition and leadership and charisma that is going to help us, that is going to really ignite something different in the team.”
Arsenal, who ended a 22-year wait for the Premier League title last season while also reaching the Champions League and League Cup finals, gave captain Ødegaard his first pre-season minutes following the World Cup.
Arteta admitted his side were below their usual standards defensively. “There were some poor moments where we were not very recognisable, especially in set-pieces and defending actions,” he said.
Guimarães could make his debut against Como on Wednesday, with Arsenal facing Manchester City in the Community Shield before launching their title defence against newly promoted Coventry on 21 August.
– AFP
Photo: Reuters/Matthew Childs
