Bruno Guimaraes Commits to Arsenal's Ambitious Project
Bruno Guimaraes says he has walked into a project built to last – and he is all in on Mikel Arteta’s plan to “make a dynasty” at Arsenal.
The Brazil international, a £75million summer signing from Newcastle, has barely unpacked his bags in north London, but the message from his manager has already landed loud and clear.
“Since the first time I spoke to him, he wants to make a dynasty here, trying to win everything as possible and I am always very excited of his idea,” Guimaraes told the Men In Blazers show on YouTube.
Arsenal have started like a team that believe it.
They brushed aside Manchester City 3-0 in the Community Shield in Cardiff, then opened their Premier League title defence with another 3-0 victory, this time against newly promoted Coventry at the Emirates Stadium. A statement week. Two clean sheets. Six goals. The champions look sharp.
Guimaraes, though, has had to watch the early surge from the sidelines. A groin problem picked up against City denied him a home debut on Friday night, a frustrating pause after such a high-profile move. The excitement has not dimmed.
“Everything is very new for me, and I am just trying to get used to the players, to the manager, to the staff, the way he works,” he said. “I can say that I am still finding my best way in the group, but I love it here.”
Arteta has built one of the most imposing midfields in the league, and Guimaraes expects to be dropped into it wherever the coach sees fit. No complaints. No caveats.
“I can play every position in the midfield, but this just depends on Mikel’s ideas,” he explained. “He said to me that I can play everywhere, and I said yes, it just depends on you and where he wanted me to play. I am just ready to play for Arsenal, no matter where.”
The ambition inside the dressing room matches the rhetoric from the touchline. Guimaraes is not interested in talking about top-four battles or modest milestones.
“I don’t have like one target – we go for everything,” he said. “I think the potential we have in this team is unbelievable. I don’t want to put targets, we need to think game again and let’s see how far we can go, but with this team, I have a big chance of winning trophies.”
Next up is a testing trip to Aston Villa on Monday night, another early measure of Arsenal’s authority. The game could also bring a swift reunion for one of their own.
England defender Ezri Konsa, who completed a £51m move to Villa last week, may be in contention to face his former club after sitting out the Community Shield and the Coventry win. His availability would add another layer to an already intriguing fixture.
There is movement at the other end of the squad too. Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli, left out against Manchester City and again omitted for the Coventry match, is reportedly closing in on a move to Saudi Arabia with Al Hilal.
As one Brazilian edges towards the exit and another settles into the heart of Arteta’s project, the shape of Arsenal’s new era is coming into focus. The question now is whether this group can turn talk of a dynasty into something that actually endures.
