Bruno Guimaraes has been warned he will 'do well' to keep his place in Arsenal's team following a subdued start to his career at the Emirates Stadium.
The Brazilian midfielder completed a £75m move from Newcastle United in the summer, signing a four-year contract at Arsenal. The 28-year-old spent four years at St James' Park, helping Newcastle qualify for the Champions League and win the Carabao Cup.
Mikel Arteta branded Guimaraes a 'warrior' following his arrival and backed the Brazil international to take Arsenal to 'the next level'.
Subdued start at Arsenal
But Guimaraes has started just one of the club's first five Premier League fixtures. That sole start came just before the international break, but Guimaraes was subbed off with Arsenal already 3-0 down in their shock defeat to Brighton.
'I think Bruno Guimaraes will do well to keep his shirt in the team,' former Newcastle and England winger Chris Waddle told Betpack. 'Arsenal have a very high level.
'He's a good player. Obviously we know how he plays, he carries the ball, brings good energy, and gets around the park. But at Newcastle he was the main man in a way, and he had a lot of confidence and belief.
'He's not guaranteed a starting spot at Arsenal, so that'll be a little bit difficult for him to accept. I'm sure if he gets in and plays the way he can, he'll keep his place.
'But I thought it was a surprising move for Arsenal to bring him in. I think he's a good player, but I wouldn't put him up there as a must buy.
'I think Newcastle fans liked him and he did a job for them, you can't say he didn't. But he'll do well to keep a permanent starting shirt at Arsenal.
'To be the first name picked in midfield alongside Declan Rice and in there with Martin Odegaard, he's going to have to play exceptionally well.'
Arteta's reaction to Brighton defeat
Premier League winners and Champions League runners-up Arsenal enjoyed a brilliant start to the new season, winning their opening seven games before a surprising defeat to Brighton.
Arteta was critical of his players after the setback, saying in his post-match press conference: 'First of all congratulations to Brighton. But I am really disappointed.
'In the first 20 or 30 minutes, the number of technical errors put us constantly under pressure. It was all related to the start.
'It's a big lesson to learn. What the team has done since the World Cup has been remarkable. But today there is a lot to learn.
'Credit to Brighton for what they have done. I think we were very far from our level.
'The international break means we have more time to swallow because it's very, very painful. In any game you can get highly exposed if you don't do what you need to do.'
Arteta will be desperate for his Arsenal team to respond after the international break when they return to action against Leeds United.
