Last week, English Teamtalk reported that Arsenal are still considering selling Martin Ødegaard, with Bruno Guimaraes on the way in. Especially. The Brazilian playmaker is now reported to be close to signing, for Arsenal it is not an either-or, the combination Ødegaard-Rice-Guimaraes has a football-dynamite potential for Arsenal.
If there is a Bruno Guimarães signing at Arsenal, there was speculation before the World Cup that the club may have to balance the squad by letting an established midfielder leave. Various English media have mentioned Martin Ødegaard as a candidate to be “sacrificed” in the transfer market. We’ve laughed at the whole situation, Mikel Arteta has told us all along how crucial, not just important, captain Ødegaard has been to the success of Arsenal this season, which has built on the job the captain has done since he was appointed captain in July 2022.
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After following Ødegaard in the World Cup as captain of Norway at the biggest arena, there is also no doubt in what form the Arsenal captain can start the season, where he made it through the tournament without injuries and rising match form, despite the tight fixture schedule.
English Goal describes the power of having Bruno Guimaraes alongside Martin Ødegaard and Declan Rice in Arsenal’s midfield next season:
“The Gunners will already be favourites to retain the long-awaited Premier League title next season, but the signing of Guimaraes could be crucial before the first ball is kicked. Signing Spain’s Martin Zubimendi last summer was one thing, but having Bruno alongside Declan Rice and Odegaard in midfield is something else entirely.”
“Rice will continue to act as a defensive-minded box-to-box shutter, Guimaraes can contribute the ‘dirty’ work, hard running and creativity as number eight, and Odegaard will be freed up to create at the top of the pitch, knowing that his team is in safe hands during the transition period and without the pressure of striving to end the club’s wait for a title.”
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“Some may have thought that the Brazilian’s arrival would mean the end for his Norwegian counterpart at the Emirates, but both prove at the World Cup that they can be a big part of Arsenal’s future, as Mikel Arteta wants to build an era of dominance in the Premier League.”
Now it is ready for Arsenal’s new super trio to be put to work. According to The Athletic, Bruno Guimaraes is soon ready for a medical test and signing in the transfer to around £80 million. A signing that should give Arteta even a few more notches more use of Ødegaard’s and Rice’s brilliance from midfield.
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