€93m star proves he'd be the perfect Arsenal signing in World Cup audition

30 Jun 2026 15:05 BST | 4 min read

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

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Bruno Guimaraes proved why Arsenal are correct to pursue a summer deal with yet another excellent performance as Brazil secured a late 2-1 win over Japan on Monday.

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The Newcastle United midfielder has been one of the Selecao’s standout performers during the World Cup so far and he played a pivotal role in Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage time winner to send them through to the last-16.

Current ETV

Bruno Guimarães

M, DM (C)

Newcastle

Bruno Guimarães

M, DM (C)

Newcastle

ETV Range

€63.1M - €77.1M

While Guimaraes was initially deployed as a defensive midfielder upon his arrival at Newcastle, he has played in a more advanced role since the signing of Sandro Tonali, and he registered 14 goal contributions in 31 Premier League games last season.

He has continued to perform in this position for Brazil at the World Cup and he currently has the most assists (four) of any player at the tournament so far.

The latest of these assists came in stoppage time as Brazil came from behind to beat Japan in the round of 32 and book their place in the last-16.

Having received the ball on the edge of the Japan penalty area, Guimaraes shifted the ball onto his left foot and looked set to shoot, before slipping a beautiful disguised pass into the path of Martinelli, who took a touch and found the bottom corner with an excellent finish.

In the process, Guimaraes once again proved his credentials as a sublime creative passer and his ability to break down deep blocks with astute vision is a quality that would greatly benefit Arsenal in their bid to retain the Premier League title next season.

Brazil steal it right at the death 🇧🇷

Gabriel Martinelli surely wins for his country in the 96th minute... pic.twitter.com/Ptly6foaIL
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 29, 2026

Bruno Guimaraes is the perfect signing for Arsenal

Declan Rice has played 107 games across the past two full seasons and with no like-for-like replacement in the Arsenal squad, it’s an issue that Arteta is keen to fix.

That’s where Guimaraes, who is valued at €93m (£80m) by Newcastle, comes in.

The Brazilian is obviously more than capable of playing alongside Rice and club captain Martin Odegaard, but he would also be able to deputise for the England star in a box-to-box number eight role.

Resting Rice is a luxury that Arteta simply hasn’t had since his arrival from West Ham United, and it could be what’s required to take the 27-year-old’s game to the next level.

It may not seem like a priority issue to solve, given the need for a new left winger, but securing the signing of Guimaraes could be the game-changing addition that helps fire Arsenal to Champions League glory for the first time in history.

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