Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes have both been criticised by former Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor, who believes the pair will regret their transfers to Tottenham and Arsenal
LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND - AUGUST 08: Bruno Guimaraes signs for Arsenal alongside Manager Mikel Arteta and Arsenal Sporting Director Andrea Berta at Sobha Realty Training Centre on August 08, 2026 in London Colney, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Bruno Guimaraes signed for Arsenal this summer(Image: David Price, Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Bruno Guimaraes' transfer from Newcastle United to Arsenal has been rated a 1/10 by former Magpies defender Steven Taylor. The head coach of the UAE Side Desert Falcon has been left bemused by the Brazilian's decision to join the Premier League champions.
Arsenal agreed a £75million deal with Newcastle for Guimaraes' services, with the former Lyon star signing a four-year deal at the Emirates. The midfielder spent four years at St. James' Park before deciding to move, as Newcastle sold an array of talent including Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali, less than 12 months after Alexander Isak's exit.
"He's made the worst decision," Taylor told Stadium Astro. "I don't understand why he'd leave Newcastle to go to Arsenal, but he made his decision. I'd give that transfer 1/10."
"I'm at the point of my life, I think I need a challenge like this," Guimaraes said after signing for the Gunners. "I want to win trophies.
"I want to make history and I think I'm in the right place to do it. I'm so excited to start."
Taylor was also quick to critique Sandro Tonali's £100m exit to Arsenal's north London rivals Tottenham. The Italian has already faced off against Newcastle as Spurs fell to a 2-0 defeat in the second match of the Premier League season.
The former defender said: "He tried too hard and the Newcastle fans gave him hell and the players as well. I'm sure there were a few things said on the pitch with former players getting into as well. He's usually a problem to play against, but against Newcastle he didn't cause any."
Newcastle United's Italian midfielder #08 Sandro Tonali (R) celebrates scoring his team's first goal with Newcastle United's Brazilian midfielder #39 Bruno Guimaraes during the UEFA Champions League, league phase - Matchday 2 football match between Royale Union Saint-Gilloise and Newcastle United FC at the RSC Anderlecht Stadium in Brussels on October 1, 2025
Tonali and Guimaraes are tipped for an exit from the club(Image: AFP or licensors)
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Taylor believes that both players are set for a hostile reception if they feature at St. James' Park later this season. Arsenal make the trip to the north east in November, while Tottenham make their visit in April.
Ex-Newcastle star Isak received a barrage of boos on the opening day of the season, following his ignominious exit in 2025. The Swede failed to make an impact against his former team.
Taylor added: "It's always good and the manager will be saying: 'Let's get into them'. You want to make sure the tackles are going in. You want to upset them and you know their weaknesses."