Morning all.
Bruno Guimarães might not have been confirmed by Arsenal yet but it would appear that the deal is pretty much done. He’s a player I’ve admired yet disliked at the same time. He’s confident, bordering on arrogant at times but I suspect that comes from self belief, something I think every top sports person needs to be successful.
When we played Newcastle, if he was absent for any reason, to suggest I was pleased would be an understatement. Now he’s ours so my view on him is totally different.
Bruno is an excellent all round midfielder in my opinion, a player who will only make this current Arsenal team/squad much stronger and more robust defensively, but in attack, he offers something different. His passing range is very good and forward thinking. If players ahead and around him move, Bruno will find them. He’s not afraid to loft a pass over the top for others either. I think Viktor Gyokeres will benefit from our new midfielders eye for a pass.
Out of possession, Guimarães is strong, aggressive and extremely competitive. He’s a grafter who doesn’t give up. He is quick and when it comes to tackling, he’s ambidextrous just as he is with his passing. His passion to win the ball can sometimes get the better of him as Arsenal players know only too well.
I reckon Arsenal will present our new signing tomorrow before the match against Dortmund.
Bruno Guimarães, Declan Rice, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino. Is there a better midfield group of players in the Premier League? Mikel Arteta can rotate without fear of weakening the side. He has no reason now to overplay any of the five. I’m absolutely thrilled that Guimarães has made the move and look forward to watching him in the colours of Arsenal.
If Arsenal were going all out for Vinicius Jr, what is the plan b now it’s been confirmed he’s staying at Real Madrid as many of us believed would always be the case. Does the club simply stick with who it has, switching in Noni Madueke and Ebb Eze as and when needed or are we to expect another signing in that department? Plenty of names have been thrown around in the back pages; Nico Williams, Bradley Barcola and yesterday, I read in The Times that Iliman Ndiaye could be on Arsenal’s radar.
It looks like Liverpool have baulked at the price PSG are asking for Barcola so I guess that might mean Arsenal could go back for him but £145m? I don’t think he’s worth it.
What about cover for William Saliba? Is Ezri Konsa the solution or do you hope the story about Liverpool being ready to snap him up has some truth to it? Yes, we need cover in defence but surely a player younger and with more potential like Cristhian Mosquera would be a better option both financially and going forwards with the squad. Konsa is 28, Gabriel is 28, Guimarães is 28. The one positive I can see with Konsa is that he can play both centre back and right back.
As for the links to the Totts captain, thanks but absolutely no thanks!
Catch up in the comments.
Hi Geoff, I think we have the option of another year.
I’m hoping it means the ability to speed up our game and not be hamstrung by the low block. A subtle hint there from Berta.
Morning Rico and all, I am quite happy with the player we have purchased and looking at today’s match Kepa do a good job or I can see Arteta letting him go.
Going by some of the reports Martinelli has just over 12 months left on his contract and that could be why we are looking at selling him now and not take a chance to let him leave for free
Andrea Berta: “Bruno is a player with a great mentality and great quality, who will bring strong leadership to our squad.
“With Bruno joining us, we are further strengthening the heart of our team. As we have all seen, Bruno can play as a defensive midfielder and as a box-to-box player. He combines quality with quantity, and has provided goals and assists for his team every year.
“Bruno will allow Mikel to further develop our playing style and will also increase our internal competitiveness, which is essential for maintaining the standards required when we are aiming to win major trophies.”
I wonder what develop our playing style means .
And as for your refund , I have always found the club quick to take your money but slow to refund. However be patient because it always comes in the end.
Bruno:
Rice sent me a message: ‘Come here and please no more fights, now we’re friends!’ I was happy he messaged me.
“In my point of view, [the Arsenal midfield] is one of the best in Europe. Everyone is an amazing player.
“Every time when I play against [Arsenal] it was very tough. They keep the ball, they defend like one. I think that combination is the way I like to play as well, and of course, joining the winners of the league is always a big opportunity.”
When asked what he can bring to our midfield unit, Bruno said: “I can pass the ball, run a lot and play like a warrior, I’ll never give up. I will try to help the team, [I’m] good with the ball, composed, very calm, and sometimes I can score some goals and hope to make everyone very, very happy here.”
So would I re Madueke but can’t see another club making an offer for him.
I haven’t Andrew, .com says it’ll be done automatically. I’m keeping an eye on it though.
Morning Cicero, Havertz too although I don’t think he’s a consistent goal scorer.
Found this interesting:
Numbers have significant meaning and none more so than Bruno Guimaraes wearing number 39.
The number represented his father’s taxi number when working in Brazil. The number was also handed to him while on loan at Athletico Paranaense, it was a sign beyond coincidence for the midfielder.
Writing in The Players’ Tribune in February 2023, he said: “For me 39 is special — no, it’s more than that. It’s magical. The number 39 gave me everything in life.”
I’d take a reasonable offer Cicero, think Dowman (backed up by Nwaneri if he stays) can be as productive as Madueke as Saka’s understudy, hopefully more so!
Havent had a refund yet for friendlies, have you rico? Can’t see in Apple subs, so assume it was Arsenal .com, I never got a receipt.
And it’s finally announced by Arsenal, and he’s in 39 shirt. Afternoon rico, all
Good morning, just, Rico.
In what I’ve seen so far we do not have a backup for Gyokeres, should he suffer an injury we would be left with only a makeshift striker in Merino. There seems to be an endless number of wingers in the offing but no centre forwards.
Madueke should be worth a bit in the transfer market but until Saka proves his fitness we can’t afford to cash in on him.
Our game against Borussia Dortmund is available for free on the Arsenal YouTube channel. Just need to subscribe to the channel which is free.
I too have read a lot of comments about how we should sell Martinelli and I don’t get it either, not when one considers the players were are linked to to replace him. He’s not the only player to have had an off season but his WC goals shows what he can do. Can the same be said of Madueke?
Meanwhile, Havertz is deemed as the golden boy, something I don’t get either.
I missed out Jesus as well that gives a little wriggle room .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDvOsaEhchQ
.com is showing the first team squad of 27 players and we have bought Guimaraes makes 28 .
It includes Nelson ,Vieira ,Kepa , and Setford.who turned 21 last march so is now a senior player.
So before we can buy a senior player and if we are to bring in cover for Saliba all 4 have to go either sales or loans .
That is of course before we entertain the thought of a first team player going..
Currently if you read around the favourite is Martinelli but having sold Trossard I do not see the logic in that as it would leave us with two players finding their feet in one position.
I mentioned before that during the World |Cup Martinelli looked a different player surprisingly he was playing with Guimaraes , the combination worked for Ancelotti , why not for us .
I don’t think the club believed they had a chance of signing Vinicius. Just hope Alvarez isn’t in their plans, especially if Gyokeres is included in any deal. Would be crazy imo.
Rotten news about Louie Copley who has ruptured his ACL.
We’ve been holding still for Vini Jr to be decided. Now that’s over I’d expect things to start moving pretty quickly.
I’m bored with the transfer window 😜
There’s over three weeks to go of this window but we need to sell to make some space in the squad of 25 before we bring anyone in…