The signing of Bruno Guimaraes by Arsenal is a move that makes sense, given his status as one of the most well-rounded midfielders in the Premier League. With the ability to both dominate and create, Guimaraes brings a unique set of skills to the table, including exceptional passing ability and physicality. Having joined the club for £75m, he becomes part of a midfield group that already includes Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino, and Myles Lewis-Skelly, raising questions about where and how he will fit in. Guimaraes has expressed a preference for playing as a No 8, but has shown versatility by also playing as a deep-lying midfielder.
His flexibility and willingness to prioritize the team's needs will likely appeal to Mikel Arteta, who values players who can adapt to different positions. The Brazilian midfielder's ability to play in various roles is evident in the breakdown of his minutes played by position in the Premier League, showcasing his capacity to play as both a right and left-sided No 8. Arsenal's sporting director, Andrea Berta, has hinted at the club's desire to utilize Guimaraes in both roles, highlighting his ability to combine quality with quantity and provide goals and assists. Guimaraes himself describes his style as that of a 'warrior' who can also play with composure and calmness.
Even when playing as Newcastle's No 6, Guimaraes was often given the freedom to attack, and he finished the season with four goals and five assists in the Premier League. The midfielder's attacking threat is undeniable, with 30 goals and 25 assists in 153 Premier League appearances for Newcastle. To maximize Guimaraes' attacking qualities, Arsenal could use him as part of a double pivot, potentially alongside Declan Rice. This would allow Arteta to deploy a pure No 10, such as Martin Odegaard or Eberechi Eze.
Alternatively, if Arteta prioritizes physicality over flair, he could use Guimaraes in a more advanced role, pushing him forward into the right-sided No 8 position. A midfield trio of Guimaraes, Zubimendi, and Rice might not be the most attack-minded, but it would provide a physical presence in central midfield. Guimaraes' passing ability is similar to Odegaard's, with the Brazilian making almost the same number of line-breaking passes per 90 minutes as the Arsenal captain last season. The arrival of Guimaraes raises questions about some of Arsenal's other midfield options, but his quality and versatility make him a valuable addition to the squad.
The distribution of midfield minutes was too heavily weighted towards Rice and Zubimendi last season, and Guimaraes' arrival should help to alleviate this issue. While some players, such as Lewis-Skelly, may find themselves further down the pecking order, the level of rotation required in Arsenal's pursuit of silverware on multiple fronts should still provide opportunities for them to contribute.