David Ornstein: Arsenal really like Newcastle star, Guardiola says he is a ‘complete’ player | OneFootball

Arsenal really like Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes according to The Athletic journalist David Ornstein.

The Gunners are expected to bolster their squad after their recent struggles in the Champions League and Premier League, and will likely strengthen their options in the middle of the park.

Albert Sambi Lokonga is expected to move on permanently at the end of the season, while the futures of Jorginho and Thomas Partey are in doubt.

On that basis, bringing in a new holding midfielder could be a priority for Arsenal, and landing Guimaraes could appeal to them.

“Then you go into that sort of midfield bracket, somebody Arsenal and other clubs really like Bruno Guimaraes,” Ornstein said on the latest episode of The Athletic FC podcast.

“He can play in the eight and the six positions. Newcastle will hope to keep hold of him – there is a release clause though.

“Anyone who is going to take him, he has got to deliver straight away.”

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola admires the Brazil international, and it appears his Arsenal counterpart Mikel Arteta does too.

“He is an exceptional holding midfielder,” the Catalan said concerning Guimaraes ahead of their FA Cup quarter-final game in March.

“He is aggressive, with the ball or without the ball. At set pieces, he’s aggressive and is a real, complete holding midfielder since being at Lyon and now at a club who want to grow up and up.”

With Declan Rice often playing further forward in recent games, Jorginho has been tasked with protecting the back four.

While the Italian has been solid, Guimaraes could be an upgrade and the perfect long-term replacement.

The 26-year-old is also a huge attacking threat, with four goals and six assists to his name in 31 Premier League games this term.

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