Arsenal are aiming to keep their 100% Premier League record going with a win away to Brighton on Saturday afternoon
Mikel Arteta.
Mikel Arteta has been handed a new warning(Image: Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
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David Raya has opened up on Arsenal newcomer Bruno Guimaraes, dubbing the Brazil international a "warrior" on the pitch. The midfielder was instrumental in keeping the Gunners' Premier League winning record alive, scoring a stunning strike before combining with Mikel Merino and playing Bukayo Saka through to land them a penalty against Sunderland.
The ex-Newcastle star made his thoughts clear about the Black Cats after his goal and heavily impressed his new teammates with his performance. Now, the north London outfit are preparing to visit Brighton on Saturday in a bid to keep their winning streak in the Premier League alive.
Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta has been warned that he is making a huge mistake in not relying on Viktor Gyokeres up top. An ex-Arsenal star claims the club are misusing the Swedish striker after he was involved in major transfer speculation over the summer.
Raya delivers Guimaraes verdict
Raya was full of praise for Guimaraes following his major impact on the squad in their win over Sunderland. After saving Enzo Le Fee's penalty at the Stadium of Light, the Brazilian went up the other end and scored before putting it on a plate for Saka to win a spot kick at the death.
Regarding Guimaraes' influence, the Spanish goalkeeper said: "It is incredible. Obviously, Bruno has been very unlucky with his start. He had two little injuries that kept him out of the team. It is not only the starters, but the people coming from the bench who are really important.
Bruno Guimaraes and David Raya of Arsenal celebrate after the 2026 FA Community Shield match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Principality Stadium on August 16, 2026 in Cardiff, Wales.
Raya was full of praise for the Brazilian(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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"We had Bruno scoring, and then he and Merino made the pass for Bukayo to win the pen. The whole squad is going to be very important throughout the season."
Pointing out the 28-year-old's physicality, Raya added: "He brings a lot of things. He brings maturity, competitiveness and leadership. He is a warrior, but he is so technically gifted. He reads the game very, very well, and he will put his life [on the line] to defend and attack. He is a fantastic player to have with us - and hopefully he stays free of injury so we can enjoy him a lot."
Mikel Arteta issued warning
Former Arsenal striker Jeremie Aliadiere claims that Arteta is not utilising Gyokeres correctly, stating that the club won't get the best out of the Swede on the bench. Speaking to LiveFootballTickets.com, the ex-Gunner said: "I think he’s just got to be patient, keep the faith, have a strong mindset and mentality and really believe in his quality and that he will turn things around.
"Obviously, I know how difficult it is when suddenly you’re not playing and you’re on the bench and you don’t really understand why. When you look at it, he was the top scorer last year. Obviously there was some criticism and people expected more for the money invested, but in the end he did deliver. I think he scored some important goals and he gives you something different.
Viktor Gyokeres of Arsenal FC and Amir Rrahmani of SSC Napoli during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between SSC Napoli and Arsenal FC at Diego Armando Maradona Stadium on September 09, 2026 in Naples, Italy.
Arteta has been told he isn't using Gyokeres correctly(Image: Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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"My only concern is that I just feel we’re not playing the style that suits him, and that’s more my concern. Mikel always seems to go back to Havertz. Even after Havertz was out for a long time, he brought Havertz back in for the big games because Havertz fits the way we play and the style we play.
"We’re not a team that, in transition, just hits the long ball straight away for the striker to run the channels. That’s not really what we do. We like possession, we like to keep the ball and we like to go wide to our wingers. I do feel sometimes, particularly last season, Viktor struggled because he wanted the ball quickly, to be one-v-one with a defender and run the channel, and he never really got that service."
Despite sticking up for Gyokeres, Aliadiere couldn't predict what Arteta could do to fit the striker into the team more than he is now. He added: "So my question is more: can we play with him in this team?
"And we can’t deny when we watch the games that when Havertz plays, he performs and does really well. It’s tough to justify saying Viktor should be in and Havertz should be on the bench when Havertz is doing so well."
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