Online Reporter
The Brazil international has officially joined the Premier League champions from Newcastle, who he captained, on a four-year deal with a further one-year option.
Guimaraes, 28, has already been welcomed by one of the men he has battled against countless times in the Premier League.
Rice sent his new midfield partner a simple message as the transfer was being completed, and it perfectly summed up the rivalry they have shared in recent years.
Guimaraes revealed: “Very good, very good. [Declan] Rice sent me a message: ‘Come here and please no more fights, now we’re friends.’
I was happy he messaged me, but the midfield we have here, in my point of view, is one of the best in Europe.”
Guimaraes will now look to form a strong partnership in the engine room with Rice – similar to the one he has developed alongside Casemiro in Brazil’s midfield over the past few years.
And he has already received a typically enthusiastic welcome from Arsenal‘s Brazilian contingent, with defender Gabriel Magalhaes among those desperate to see him arrive.
Guimaraes added: “Only good things to be fair. Big Gabi was very excited. Every time he sent me the message, ‘we’ll wait for you, when will you come?’’
“I’m so excited to join them, not only the Brazilians, we have an amazing squad here. I’m so excited to meet the other players, to start training. I just want to give my best.”
The move sees Arsenal pay Newcastle £75m in full, with no add-ons, over a 24-month period after the two clubs agreed the fee on Wednesday.
Sporting director Andrea Berta believes Guimaraes will add both quality and leadership as Mikel Arteta‘s side look to defend their Premier League crown.
Berta said: “We are delighted to welcome Bruno Guimaraes to our club.
“Bruno is a player with a great mentality and great quality, who will bring strong leadership to our squad.
“With Bruno joining us, we are further strengthening the heart of our team. 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.”
Guimaraes arrives as a hugely popular figure on Tyneside, having captained Newcastle to their EFL Cup triumph over Liverpool in 2025 – their first major trophy at Wembley since 1955.
But his departure comes during a period of huge change at Newcastle, with Aleksandr Isak having joined Liverpool last year, plus Sandro Tonali moving to Tottenham and Anthony Gordon heading to Barcelona this summer.
Lewis Hall has also been linked with a move to Manchester United, while Eddie Howe has left his position as manager, leaving Newcastle facing the loss of several key figures.
For Guimaraes now, the focus is firmly on the next chapter and winning more trophies in North London.
He said: “I think after playing two World Cups, I think I’m at the point of my life, I think 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.”
Arsenal already boast huge midfield options, with Rice and Martin Zubimendi having started together for much of last season’s title-winning campaign and Champions League run, while captain Martin Odegaard and Spain‘s World Cup hero Mikel Merino are further options.
Myles Lewis-Skelly impressed towards the end of the 2025/26 campaign, starting over Zubimendi. Eberechi Eze provides another attacking option.
But Guimaraes now gives Arteta another heavyweight addition in centre-midfield.
And the new signing has promised Arsenal fans he will bring the same warrior mentality that made him such a favourite at Newcastle.
Guimaraes said: “I would say 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, good with the ball, composed, very calm, and sometimes I can score some goals and hope to make everyone very, very happy here.”
He also had a final message for the supporters: “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.” – Sun
