Morning all.
Bruno Guimarães might not have been confirmed by Arsenal yet but it would appear that the deal is pretty much done. He’s a player I’ve admired yet disliked at the same time. He’s confident, bordering on arrogant at times but I suspect that comes from self belief, something I think every top sports person needs to be successful.
When we played Newcastle, if he was absent for any reason, to suggest I was pleased would be an understatement. Now he’s ours so my view on him is totally different.
Bruno is an excellent all round midfielder in my opinion, a player who will only make this current Arsenal team/squad much stronger and more robust defensively, but in attack, he offers something different. His passing range is very good and forward thinking. If players ahead and around him move, Bruno will find them. He’s not afraid to loft a pass over the top for others either. I think Viktor Gyokeres will benefit from our new midfielders eye for a pass.
Out of possession, Guimarães is strong, aggressive and extremely competitive. He’s a grafter who doesn’t give up. He is quick and when it comes to tackling, he’s ambidextrous just as he is with his passing. His passion to win the ball can sometimes get the better of him as Arsenal players know only too well.
I reckon Arsenal will present our new signing tomorrow before the match against Dortmund.
Bruno Guimarães, Declan Rice, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino. Is there a better midfield group of players in the Premier League? Mikel Arteta can rotate without fear of weakening the side. He has no reason now to overplay any of the five. I’m absolutely thrilled that Guimarães has made the move and look forward to watching him in the colours of Arsenal.
If Arsenal were going all out for Vinicius Jr, what is the plan b now it’s been confirmed he’s staying at Real Madrid as many of us believed would always be the case. Does the club simply stick with who it has, switching in Noni Madueke and Ebb Eze as and when needed or are we to expect another signing in that department? Plenty of names have been thrown around in the back pages; Nico Williams, Bradley Barcola and yesterday, I read in The Times that Iliman Ndiaye could be on Arsenal’s radar.
It looks like Liverpool have baulked at the price PSG are asking for Barcola so I guess that might mean Arsenal could go back for him but £145m? I don’t think he’s worth it.
What about cover for William Saliba? Is Ezri Konsa the solution or do you hope the story about Liverpool being ready to snap him up has some truth to it? Yes, we need cover in defence but surely a player younger and with more potential like Cristhian Mosquera would be a better option both financially and going forwards with the squad. Konsa is 28, Gabriel is 28, Guimarães is 28. The one positive I can see with Konsa is that he can play both centre back and right back.
As for the links to the Totts captain, thanks but absolutely no thanks!
Catch up in the comments.
