Bruno Guimaraes, the new Arsenal midfielder, says he wants to win trophies and make a lasting impact at the club after moving from Newcastle United.
The Brazil international signed a long-term deal with Arsenal. He sees this move as the challenge he needs at this stage of his career, according to PUNCH Online.
“I’m very excited,” Guimaraes said in his first interview as an Arsenal player on the club website on Saturday. “I’m at the point of my life where 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 joined Newcastle in January 2022. He has played against Arsenal several times in the Premier League.
He mentioned that fellow midfielder Declan Rice has already welcomed him to the club.
“Rice sent me a message: ‘Come here and please no more fights, now we’re friends!’ I was happy he messaged me,” he said.
The 28-year-old believes Arsenal’s midfield is one of the strongest in Europe. He said the club’s style of holding onto the ball and defending fits well with his own approach.
“In my point of view, [the Arsenal midfield] is one of the best in Europe. Everyone is an amazing player.
“Every time when I play against [Arsenal] it was very tough. They keep the ball, they defend like one. I think that combination is the way I like to play as well, and of course, joining the winners of the league is always a big opportunity,” he said.
Guimaraes said he plans to use his skills to pass, run, and defend while also aiming to score goals for the team.
“I can pass the ball, run a lot and play like a warrior, I’ll never give up. I will try to help the team, [I’m] good with the ball, composed, very calm, and sometimes I can score some goals and hope to make everyone very, very happy here,” he said.
He also mentioned his past achievements, including trophies in Brazil, an Olympic gold medal, and silverware with Newcastle. These have only fueled his desire for more success.
“It’s massive what I have done so far, but I want more. I want to win for Arsenal. I want to win more trophies in my career, and I think I’m in the right place, at my peak at 28 years old,” he stated.
Guimaraes hopes his time at Arsenal will leave a mark on the club and inspire future players.
“I want to put my name in the club history. Someday, when I leave, I want players to come here and say I want to do exactly what Bruno did for the club.
“I think it’s the best thing that a player can do for the club: create history and inspire the young,” the Brazilian said.
Guimaraes will become the 17th Brazilian to play for Arsenal. He admires former midfielder Gilberto Silva and wants to follow in his footsteps.
“Of course, Gilberto Silva. I love him as a player,” he said. “I had the opportunity before to talk to Gilberto Silva. I hope I can follow his history here and make myself one of the very good players at Arsenal in history.”
The midfielder will keep his preferred number 39 shirt. This number has special meaning because of his father’s work as a taxi driver in Brazil.
Guimaraes said his father suggested the number when he joined a top Brazilian club. His father told him, “The 39 gave you everything.”
He wore the number at Athletico Paranaense and has kept it throughout his career.
“When I got to Athletico Paranaense, I went to do the medical and when I opened [my bag], the number 39 was in there and I was very scared.
“At that moment, I called my father and when I told him the history, he started to cry. He said: ‘I told you, this number is going to give you luck.’ Since then, I’ve always been the 39,” he declared.
Guimaraes ended his message to Arsenal supporters by promising to give his best for the club.
“The message for me is thank you for everything you have done. All the messages you gave me, I’m so excited to join you. I will give you my best, I promise. Like I said, I’m your warrior, I’ll never give up. Hopefully we can create many, many good memories together,” he concluded.
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