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Bruno Guimaraes would improve more than Mikel Arteta’s starting lineup. It would give the Gunners another midfielder capable of controlling difficult matches without reducing their attacking threat.
Arsenal have agreed personal terms with the Brazil international, although Newcastle United have not accepted an offer. ReadArsenal reported on Tuesday that another official approach is expected, with Arteta continuing to push for the transfer.
Guimarães would arrive as an established Premier League midfielder rather than a player requiring time to adjust. His influence at Newcastle earned him the club’s Player of the Year award last season.
🚨🔴⚪️ Arsenal have agreed all details of personal terms with Bruno Guimarães and new official bid will follow.#AFC to offer £70m, Newcastle expect to reject but Arsenal feel they can still get it done.
Arteta, pushing: he wants Bruno.
🎥 https://t.co/Lm334hsHQJ pic.twitter.com/Ls7WCKB2bk
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 23, 2026
Why Bruno Guimaraes to Arsenal raises the ceiling
Arsenal already possess a strong midfield through Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard. Guimarães would allow Arteta to change the responsibilities around them without losing control of possession.
The Brazilian can receive the ball from his centre-backs under pressure and turn away from opponents. He can also play forward quickly when space opens between midfield and defence.
That ability would help Arsenal against teams who press high at the Emirates Stadium. Rice would not need to drop towards the centre-backs as frequently, allowing him to make more runs into the final third.
Guimarães could also play as the more advanced midfielder. His movement around the penalty area produced nine Premier League goals last season, while Newcastle credited him with eight assists across the campaign.
Those contributions earned him Newcastle’s official Player of the Year award despite an injury-interrupted season. The club described it as the most productive goalscoring campaign of his career.
Guimarães would give Rice greater freedom
Rice has developed into one of Arsenal’s most influential attacking midfielders. He can carry possession through pressure, arrive late inside the box and deliver from set-pieces.
However, Arsenal still rely heavily on him to protect transitions and support the first phase of their build-up. Guimarães would share those responsibilities.
A midfield containing Guimarães, Rice and Ødegaard could change shape during matches. Guimarães could begin as the deepest midfielder before moving alongside Rice when Arsenal establish possession.
Arteta would also have the option of using Rice at the base during more physical matches. Guimarães could then press higher and combine with Ødegaard between the lines.
The flexibility would help Arsenal respond to different opponents without making substitutions or changing formation. ReadArsenal’s assessment of the squad identified the need to maintain control while rotating through a demanding campaign.
Arsenal would become less dependent on Ødegaard
Ødegaard remains Arsenal’s main creator, but opponents can restrict the Gunners by closing the right side and preventing him from receiving possession between the lines.
Guimarães would provide another route through midfield. He can carry the ball centrally, break lines with passes and create chances without needing to occupy Ødegaard’s preferred position.
His competitive style would also suit Arsenal’s pressing game. Guimarães is comfortable contesting second balls and immediately playing forward after regaining possession.
Newcastle’s dependence on him provides an indication of his wider influence. In February, Premier League analysis noted that Newcastle had failed to win any of the 10 league matches he had missed since arriving from Lyon.
Arsenal would not need him to carry the same burden. Rice and Ødegaard would remain central figures, while Ethan Nwaneri could continue developing without being asked to start every major match.
Guimarães would instead raise the level of competition and provide Arteta with several high-level midfield combinations.
The proposed fee will require careful judgement, particularly because Guimarães turns 29 in November. However, Arsenal are pursuing an immediate improvement rather than another long-term project.
Signing him would give Arteta a midfielder suited to controlling possession, creating goals and handling the pressure of a title race. Arsenal already have an elite midfield. Guimarães could make it the strongest in the Premier League.