Guimaraes eager to 'make history' at Arsenal after $101m move

LONDON — Bruno Guimaraes said he wanted to "make history" at Arsenal after joining the Premier League champion from top-flight rival Newcastle for a reported fee of 75 million pounds ($101.2 million) on Saturday.

The Brazil midfielder spent four-and-a-half seasons with Newcastle and became captain of the Magpies.

Arsenal, who ended a 22-year wait for a top-flight English league title last season, did not disclose the exact length of Guimaraes' "long-term" deal, but British media reports said he had signed a four-year contract with a further one-year option.

"I feel good, I feel amazing. I'm glad for the opportunity," Guimaraes told Arsenal's media channels.

"We have tough games to play this season, so the squad is going to be very, very important, and I'm hopeful we can achieve our dreams."

The 28-year-old said he'd been enthused about joining Arsenal right from his initial interactions with sporting director Andrea Berta and team manager Mikel Arteta.

"From the first time I spoke to Berta and Mikel, I was excited," said Guimaraes. "I just felt inside of me that I need a new challenge in my life, and, I think, to be an Arsenal player, is going to be an exciting challenge in my life.

"I think, after playing two World Cups, I'm at the point in my life that I need a challenge like this.

"I want to win trophies, I want to make history and I think I'm in the right place to do it. I'm so excited to start."

Guimaraes is Arsenal's most high-profile signing of the transfer window so far, joining fellow new arrivals Illan Meslier and Christos Tzolis.

"With Bruno joining us, we are further strengthening the heart of our team," said Berta.

"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."

Guimaraes was also linked with Arsenal in January 2022, when he ended up leaving Lyon for Newcastle, but he has finally joined the Gunners after scoring 31 goals in 195 appearances for the Magpies.

Under coach Eddie Howe, Guimaraes helped Newcastle end a 56-year major trophy drought when it won the 2025 League Cup and was also involved as Newcastle twice qualified for the Champions League.

"This is one of the toughest decisions of my life. When I arrived, the club was in a challenging position and I am incredibly proud of what we achieved together," Guimaraes said in Newcastle's statement.

"I fell in love with this place. I really mean that."

Guimaraes is the third high-profile player to leave Tyneside ahead of the new season, following the exits of Anthony Gordon to Barcelona and Sandro Tonali to Tottenham.

Howe stepped down as Newcastle manager on July 31, and has since been replaced by German Matthias Jaissle.

Guimaraes, who played for Brazil at the recent World Cup, will compete for a place in Arsenal's midfield with Declan Rice, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino.

Arsenal kicks off its season against Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday, before starting its title defense against newly-promoted Coventry five days later.

Newcastle gets its campaign under way against Liverpool at St James' Park on Aug 23.

AFP