Mikel Arteta has been advised to turn his attentions to a new striker signing after Arsenal agreed a £75m deal for Bruno Guimaraes.
Guimaraes will become Arteta’s third signing of the summer after Arsenal finally reached an agreement with Premier League rivals Newcastle United.
The 28-year-old Brazilian has been one of the most influential midfielders in the Premier League since his £40m move from Lyon, helping Newcastle win the Carabao Cup and qualify for the Champions League.
Title-winning pedigree
Guimaraes will join an Arsenal team that clinched the Premier League title last season while reaching the final of the Champions League, where they suffered a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat.
Shay Given believes Guimaraes can help Arsenal become regular title winners over the next few seasons but doubts multiple trophies will be heading to the Emirates Stadium unless Arteta replaces Viktor Gyokeres.
Gyokeres had a mixed first season at Arsenal following his £64m move from Sporting, scoring 21 goals in all competitions but receiving criticism for his all-round game.
Striker search continues
The Gunners have been linked with signing a new striker this summer, with Arteta a huge admirer of Julian Alvarez and also believed to be considering a move for England’s Ollie Watkins.
‘A signing like Bruno Guimaraes can give Arsenal the strength in depth they need to win multiple trophies,’ Given told BoyleSports.
‘But I think they still need to strengthen their options up front with another striker as well.
‘Viktor Gyokeres did okay last season but I still think when you want to win multiple trophies, you need somebody at the very top of the pitch who only needs one chance to score, not three or four chances a game.
‘That’s the level Arsenal are at, at the minute. If there is an opportunity to bring in more quality up front, that’s part of the puzzle too.’
Easing Declan Rice's burden
One of the biggest positives from signing Guimaraes, according to Given, is the burden it will ease on Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice.
Rice has made 158 appearances for Arsenal across the last three seasons and struggled with his fitness during England’s recent World Cup campaign.
‘Bruno can play in his position as well and that could give Mikel Arteta more license to rest Declan,’ added ex-Premier League goalkeeper Given.
‘I think that’s becoming a real worry that Declan Rice is playing too much football. He seems to play every minute and we all know the kind of player that he is.
‘He is all in, all the time. You can only do that for so long. It’ll catch up on him eventually.
‘Maybe Arteta is looking at Bruno’s flexibility and thinking he can play higher up the pitch or sit in among the holding midfielders too. It’s a signing that would give them plenty of options.’
Newcastle concerns
While Arsenal are hoping to build on a long-awaited title win, Newcastle fans may be concerned going into the new season after losing Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon and manager Eddie Howe this summer.
‘I think it’s natural for all fans to fear the worst. It’s ingrained in us, built on over the years,’ said Given, who spent over a decade at St James’ Park as a player.
‘Newcastle have lost some of their best players and have replaced them with younger players, who certainly have bright futures ahead of them, but it can take time for them to settle and get up to speed, especially in the Premier League.
‘Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon have already departed and it seems Bruno Guimaraes is about to join them which means almost the whole midfield has been wiped out. That’s a lot of quality and experience.
‘If I told you I was sitting here right now saying I’m not worried at all and totally certain we’ll be fine, I probably wouldn’t be telling the truth.
‘There will be concerns amongst the fanbase about the coming season.’
Arsenal begin their Premier League title defence against newly-promoted Coventry City while Newcastle host Liverpool.
