Bruno Guimaraes: Arsenal dominated by (probably) Mikel Arteta’s favourite Newcastle player | OneFootball

In the end, Arsenal made two summer acquisitions and made David Raya’s loan move permanent. However, they did not pursue reported target Bruno Guimaraes, who showcased why there was heavy interest as Newcastle ran out 1-0 winners in the Premier League this afternoon.

Having finished runners-up in 2022/23, the Londoners strengthened by adding Declan Rice, for a club record fee (£105m), to Arteta’s midfield, which lost Granit Xhaka, and club legend Emmanuel Petit was among those who felt Guimaraes would bring something different to the table.

“Yeah, in terms of keeping the ball, position, technique, this is something very important for what I’ve said before, when you are tired on a pitch keeping the ball is integral, and I thought Arsenal did it brilliantly on Saturday,” he said

“This is where I think you can see this team has improved a lot from last season. At the highest level when you’re tired physically and you’re tired mentally, you need to be better than your opponents, in terms of technique, keeping the ball, how you give passes and receive the ball. For me, Guimaraes is very good with the ball which would be very important if he comes to Arsenal. I have no worries about him settling in at Arsenal either.”

Guimarães’ decision to stay at Newcastle surprised many, as there were expectations that he would leave, especially after his impressive season. Despite the struggles faced by the Magpies, Guimarães was a bright spot. He won more ground duels and drew more fouls than any other player in Europe’s top seven leagues, and he also completed more take-ons than any other central midfielder in the Premier League.

Guimarães topped the Premier League for distance covered, running 423.1 km. No one can excuse the Brazilian for not putting a shift in with him regularly showing his dedication while possessing exceptional technical ability and attacking prowess from midfield to go alongside his impressive stamina.

If anyone forgot, he reminded them at St. James’ Park today. Arsenal started with Mikel Merino, their signing from Real Soceided, in direct battle, and no doubt emerged victorious. Guimarães was everywhere, competing in a team-high 18 duels, winning 11 of them, and achieving a 100% success rate in aerial duels and take-ons.

He also won possession eight times, with one coming in the final third, something only Tino Livramento managed in a black-and-white jersey. He even won seven fouls, providing his teammates with some relief. Indeed, he’s won 41 fouls in the Premier League, which is at least 16 more than any other player.

Since joining Newcastle from Olympique Lyon in 2021, he’s been a revelation, with Arsenal’s previous interest being understandable, as he brings a different midfielder profile that they currently lack. Guimarães is primarily an eight who could comfortably play between Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard in a hypothetical midfield trio. “I think I can play as a No. 6, 8, or 10,” he recently told Sky Sports. “The manager has given me the freedom to do so.”

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe deserves credit for successfully maximising Guimaraes’ potential, even when facing limitations, with him starting in the ‘number six’ role in today’s win. “There’s absolutely no doubt that Bruno can play as a No. 8 and excel in that position,” he said. “But then we need to find a solution for the No. 6, and that needs to work for the team. So I’m always stuck in that situation where I’m trying to work out what is best for the team, not the individual.”

It worked out today as Newcastle’s victory, courtesy of a 12th-minute Alexander Isak header past David Raya from a delicious Anthony Gordon cross, marked Arsenal losing successive away matches in the league for the first time since May 2022 while the Magpies have won their last nine Premier League home games against London sides.

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