The debate over Arsenal's dream starting XI has been reignited by the club's push to sign Bruno Guimaraes. The immediate question is how he slots in alongside Declan Rice, but that may be the wrong thing to focus on.
In reality, the best-laid line-ups rarely take the pitch as expected. Liverpool's viral 2019 Champions League final team photo features Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and Virgil van Dijk, yet those exact 11 players started together only once in Jurgen Klopp's entire tenure. Injuries, suspension and fitness management always intervene.
A move driven by squad depth
That is why Arsenal fans should not fixate on Rice and Guimaraes as a pairing. They will play together often, but the real purpose of the signing is strength in depth. Rice was running on fumes at the end of last season, playing through an injury that also affected his World Cup campaign.
Only David Raya played more minutes than Rice among Arsenal's outfield players, and Rice was the sole outfielder to exceed 3,000 minutes. If a serious injury had hit him, Arsenal's title and European hopes could have collapsed.
More than 60 matches ahead
As challengers for the Premier League, Champions League and domestic cups, Arsenal are planning for roughly 60 matches or more. They will face low blocks, intense high presses and tricky European nights. Different matchups call for different specialists.
Arteta has previously admitted that a lack of different horses for different courses was one of his early failures. Guimaraes provides another thoroughbred in fine form, someone who can not only lift the floor of the squad but raise the ceiling as well.
Why it makes sense off the pitch
The Guimaraes transfer might not make sense on paper, but that is precisely why it makes sense in the long run. It gives Arteta the flexibility he lacked, ensuring Arsenal are not one injury away from a derailed season.
