Dietmar Hamann has backed Bruno Guimaraes to add a new dimension to Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side – but claims the midfielder is still yet to prove he is ‘top class’.
Arsenal identified Guimaraes as a top target at the start of the summer transfer window, with the Premier League champions eager to add strength to their title-winning midfield. The Brazilian captained Newcastle to their first domestic trophy in 70 years under Eddie Howe and is considered one of the most sought-after central midfielders in the English game.
While Newcastle had initially been reluctant to lose Guimaraes to a direct rival, the Gunners broke the Magpies’ resistance with a successful £75million bid – having missed out on the 28-year-old when he was at Lyon four-and-a-half years ago.
Unveiled at the Emirates
Guimaraes was unveiled to the Emirates crowd ahead of Arsenal’s pre-season clash with Borussia Dortmund this weekend, but was unable to take part in the match. The former Newcastle man will be expected to train with his new team-mates for the first time over the coming days and may be in line to make his unofficial debut in Arsenal’s next friendly against Como on Wednesday evening.
‘We are delighted to welcome Bruno Guimaraes to our club,’ Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta said of the midfielder’s arrival. ‘Bruno is a player with a great mentality and great quality, who will bring strong leadership to our squad.
‘With Bruno joining us, we are further strengthening the heart of our team. As we have all seen, Bruno can play as a defensive midfielder and as a box-to-box player. He combines quality with quantity, and has provided goals and assists for his team every year.
‘Bruno will allow Mikel to further develop our playing style and will also increase our internal competitiveness, which is essential for maintaining the standards required when we are aiming to win major trophies.’
Hamann’s verdict
Discussing the big-money transfer with Sports Mole, Hamann speculated that Arsenal had made the move for Guimaraes in order to add some much-needed creativity in the middle of the park. But according to Hamann, it would be ‘premature’ to place Guimaraes in the bracket of an elite midfielder at this stage.
‘Bruno has been a big player for Newcastle, and he’s been the captain as well, led the way, led from the front,’ the 2005 Champions League winner explained. ‘But we’ve seen him in the World Cup. I think part of some of the biggest issues for the Brazil team were in the middle of the park.
‘I think he’s got to prove that he really is top class. It’s a huge fee, not as big as some of the others who left in the summer, like Sandro Tonali and Elliot Anderson.
‘What does he bring to Arsenal? Well, he can nick a goal. A very reliable player, always accountable. And I think they would want some goals because what they lacked last season was goals from open play. Arsenal relied on set pieces most of the time.
‘They’ve got some very good players in there with Declan Rice and a couple of others, but he’ll find his place. But I think what they want from him is getting a bit more adventurous from midfield.
‘I think he can bring that for them, but to call him top class, I think, is a bit premature. He’s a very good player. To show he’s top class, I think he’s got to prove it now at Arsenal.’
Contract details
Guimaraes has put pen to paper on a four-year contract at Arsenal, tying him to the club until 2030. The Brazil international will take over the No.39 shirt in north London, previously worn by the likes of Hector Bellerin, Francis Coquelin and Sebastian Larsson.
