Arsenal XI with Bruno Guimaraes: Arteta's dream team revealed

31 Jul 2026 02:51 CDT | 4 min read

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Accredited football journalist and editor covering the game since 2006

Make us your Google favourite

It’s a matter of time before Bruno Guimaraes becomes an Arsenal player. The Brazil international midfielder has been pushing for a move to the Emirates Stadium and will soon get his wish.

Article continues under the video

The expectation is that the Gunners will reach an agreement for the 28-year-old for a fee around the £80 million (€95m) mark, BBC Sport reports.

Mikel Arteta’s side will be overpaying on Bruno’s €63.1m Estimated Transfer Value (ETV), but in return they will be getting one of the most intense, proven Premier League performers, with the former Lyon player having shone in the heart of the Newcastle midfield for the last four years.

Current ETV

Bruno Guimarães

M, DM (C)

Newcastle

Bruno Guimarães

M, DM (C)

Newcastle

ETV Range

€56.8M - €69.4M

One of the beauties of the new signing is how he is capable of adapting to different roles through the centre of the pitch. He can defend and he can attack, with his all-action style invariably drawing a high foul count. Last season, only Elliot Anderson was fouled more in the Premier League than the Brazilian.

Equally, his offensive output will add a much-needed threat to Arsenal from open play. Last season, he finished as Newcastle’s leading Premier League scorer with nine goals while he chipped in with five assists.

This ability to be among the goals will be precious in an Arsenal side that can struggle in this regard. Only Viktor Gyokeres was directly involved in more Premier League strikes for Arteta’s side last season.

© IMAGO - Bruno Guimaraes in World Cup action with Brazil

How will Arteta use Bruno Guimaraes?

Bruno is a multi-dimensional player. He’s not exactly the type of figure who can slot into different roles, which is a prototype Arteta loves, yet this ability to fulfil different midfield roles makes him attractive, but it also begs the question: how will he be used at Arsenal?

The Gunners’ stock formation last season was a 4-3-3, which alternated to a 4-2-3-1 on occasion.

Guimaraes was primarily used as a box-to-box player for Newcastle last season with extensive attacking responsibilities. Arteta will likely look to this as inspiration for the South American in North London.

Primarily, he will play in a midfield three, flanked by Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice. Martin Odegaard is set to be the player who suffers, with Bruno simply offering more energy, directness and impact going forward. Where the Norwegian slowed things down last season – a talent that will be valuable in controlling certain games – the Newcastle man will be more aggressive.

Despite this, the prospect of seeing Bruno employed as a No.10 at Arsenal is slim. Arteta already has players to cover this area, with Eberechi Eze likely to get more of an opportunity this season after a slow start last term. There will be situations where he will be used further forwards, but this will not be his primary role.

Bruno’s arrival, meanwhile, should not have a seismic impact on those around him, with the Arsenal side largely unchanged because of his arrival.

Arteta’s side is setting down nicely, and Bruno’s arrival really only leaves the question of who will feature on the left wing open. This is an issue that should be resolved in the transfer market by the end of August.