Bruno Guimaraes has barely had a chance to settle in at Arsenal, but Martin Odegaard is already seeing signs of an exciting partnership taking shape.
Martin Odegaard says his understanding with Bruno Guimaraes is already developing, despite having just played 90 minutes together.
Guimaraes signed for Arsenal just days before their final pre-season friendly against Como, coming off the bench at half-time to make his first appearance in an Arsenal shirt, alongside the Gunners captain.
Four days later, the pair both started in the Community Shield against Manchester City, with the £75 million signing tasked with keeping Manchester City at bay, alongside Myles Lewis-Skelly.
The Gunners finished on top, cruising to a 3-0 win against last season’s FA Cup winners. In the performance, Odegaard highlighted how natural Guimaraes’ inclusion in the squad has felt.
“I think it was really good. Yeah, really good, really natural. I think since the first day he came in, you know, it’s been such a natural thing.”
For years, Odegaard and Guimaraes were Premier League rivals, with the fixture between Arsenal and Newcastle developing an increasingly fierce rivalry.
“Although we had some big fights in the past you just coming to the team as a really natural part of the team and you can see his quality, you know, he can win the ball. He’s a fighter, but he’s also so much quality on the ball.”
Arteta has a wealth of midfield options following the addition of the Brazilian. Rice and Zubimendi were ever-present across all competitions last season, whilst Lewis-Skelly continues to grow as a midfielder.
Guimaraes offers flexibility across the midfield, depending on how Arteta wants to use him. Whether he sits as the deepest of the midfield, or steps into Rice’s role when Arsenal rest him, Odegaard is confident in the Brazilian’s ability.
“So calm on the ball, you know, he always takes the right amount of time and finds the pass.”
The Norway captain has often operated between midfield and attack under Arteta, depending on those behind him to pick him out between the lines. With Guimaraes now in the mix, Arsenal have another midfielder who is comfortable receiving under pressure and knows when to play the right pass.
It’s very early days for the partnership, but Odegaard felt the two already have an understanding of one another's game.
“No, I think it’s been so natural. I think the connection is already there.”
“I think you can see that he’s a top, top player, you know, from the first second that he’s in the training, you feel that presence and the quality.”
As the season approaches, midfield looks to be one of the more difficult decisions Arteta has to make with talent in abundance.
Rice and Zubimendi have only just returned to the squad after the World Cup, so not all of Arsenal's midfielders have returned to full fitness, meaning the line-up that faced City could look very different as the season goes on.
Guimaraes has barely had time to settle in North London himself, but Ødegaard already believes the understanding between them is there.