Mikel Arteta is plotting the next evolution of his Arsenal side after winning the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years. The Spaniard is now focused on strengthening the squad to defend the crown, with a particular emphasis on adding more attacking quality and midfield depth.
Arteta Seeks More Expansive Style
Speaking after the Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, Arteta highlighted the need for Arsenal to be "ambitious" in the transfer market. He praised PSG's quality on the ball and the problems they cause opponents. "What they are able to do with the ball, with individual actions, I haven't seen it," Arteta said. "It's not the plan to play in certain areas when you don't have the ball but they force you to do that, so even more credit to the players." Asked if he wanted to emulate that, Arteta replied: "Yes, and the individual action that they have for sure."
Bruno Guimaraes as Key Midfield Target
With that in mind, Arsenal are looking to bolster their attacking options, with Morgan Rogers the top priority for this summer. The Gunners are also strengthening in midfield and initial talks have been held with Bruno Guimaraes' representatives. Newcastle insist the midfielder is not for sale, but reports suggest a verbal approach in the region of £55 million has been made by Arsenal.
Like Rogers, Guimaraes is well-accustomed to the demands of the Premier League and would add more physicality to this Arsenal side. With Arsenal open to selling Christian Norgaard this summer, bringing in a new midfielder is as much about raising the floor of the squad as it is the ceiling. Declan Rice has been dealing with neural pain in his hamstring for six months and will need to be managed, particularly early next season after the World Cup.
How Guimaraes Would Fit In
Guimaraes would likely primarily be used as a No. 8, freeing up Martin Zubimendi to cover Rice as the deepest midfielder. There would be minutes for Myles Lewis-Skelly too, and signing Guimaraes would not hinder his longer-term opportunities in the side. The Brazilian could also play alongside Rice as a double pivot in front of the defence, or as a more advanced No. 8 in the style of Granit Xhaka did in the 2022-23 season. That campaign, the first one in which Arsenal challenged for the title, was characterised by free-flowing, almost chaotic football from the Gunners. Xhaka was central to that as the left No. 8, slotting in at times at full-back when required but also making bursts into the area and linking up with Gabriel Martinelli out wide.
Since then, Arteta has gone for a more cautious approach and the midfield has been tightened up. This season, the safety blanket of Rice and Zubimendi hardly ever came off. Arteta at times used a double pivot and at times opted for either Rice or Zubimendi as a No. 8. Neither offered quite the same impact in the final third as Xhaka.
Attacking Threat and Defensive Aggression
If Arteta is looking for more of an unpredictable edge and attacking threat from his midfield, Guimaraes would help bring that. Guimaraes scored nine Premier League goals this season and registered five assists. He would offer more of an attacking threat than Zubimendi and also has the aggression defensively to go with it. Playing as a No. 8, Guimaraes' box-crashing ability would also create more space for Arsenal's wingers, who can get stifled when doubled up.
At times this season, Arsenal looked short of technical quality on the ball. They controlled games through an elite defensive structure rather than being secure in possession. Guimaraes would go some way to addressing that with his progressing passing, while not diminishing Arsenal's levels off the ball.
Potential Arsenal XI with Guimaraes and Rogers
Arsenal remain keen to sign Morgan Rogers and he could complete a physically dominant midfield with Guimaraes and Rice. If Rogers was used on the left, Odegaard could be the third midfielder instead. That would be a midfield far better suited to suffocating teams in possession than Arsenal managed for much of this season.
Potential Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Guimaraes, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Rogers.
