Bruno Guimaraes joins Arsenal from Newcastle for £75m 🚨 | ‘I’m your warrior'

Big breaking news to begin with, Arsenal have completed the signing of Bruno Guiomares from Newcastle United.The fee is £75m fixed.There is a four -year deal for a player that turns 29 in November, plus a further one -year option.Brazil international, 48 caps, three goals for his country, but most significantly, Four years on St James' Park where he's won the hearts of the Newcastle United faithful, bringing that first trophy since 1955 in terms of domestic silverware with the League Cup 18 months ago.And Brunar Guillaume -Marech has been such a big part since moving from Lyon four years ago.of the club and for Newcastle joins now Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon and Kieran Trippier in leaving the club on a big summer of change at Newcastle United.

Sean Sturr and Allegi Bamba, big central midfield players brought in for Newcastle to replace these players potentially but very much at the outset of their career.Pierre -Emile Hoibier links but Bruno Guillaume -Aresh will reinforce Arsenal's midfield options alongside the likes of Declan Rice, Martin Zubermendy and Miles Lewis -Skelly in the heart of that midfield.28 years of age, turns 29 in November, moves to Arsenal on a four -year contract for £75 million.We've got some reaction from Bruno as well, who we know has been very respectful, Newcastle have said, and that's why they've allowed this signing to proceed.The former Newcastle captain saying, since the first time I spoke to Berta, that's Andrea Berta, and Mikel, Mikel Arteta, I was excited.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.

After playing two World Cups, I think I'm at the point in 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.I'm so excited to start.We have tough games to play this season, so the squad is going to be tough.very, very important.And I'm hopeful we can achieve our dream.

So he references Andrea Berta there.We've got quotes from Arsenal's sporting director too.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.But what will he really bring to their midfield?

The Brazilian, well, he excels both in chances created and retaining the ball, as Andrea Berta was saying there.He outperforms Martin Zubermendi in every category.Martin Odegaard remains the more creative of the two players.Plays further forward than him, though, doesn't he?But Guilherme Resch once again outperforms him when it comes to winning fouls and recovering the ball.Guilherme Resch becomes Arsenal's fourth signing of the window.

Joining Christos Solas, the left winger, and Pierre Nkappia, that deal being confirmed from Bayer Leverkusen, as well as Ila Melia, backup goalkeeper, joining Arsenal's ranks.So, Guillaume Marech leaves Newcastle after four years at St James' Park as their summer exodus continues.He's released a message of thanks to the club and its fans.So this is what he says.This is one of the toughest decisions of my life.When I arrived at the club, was in a challenging position.

I'm incredibly proud of what we achieved together.I fell in love with this place.I really mean that.From my first day, the supporters, my teammates, Eddie and the staff and everyone connected with the club made me and my family feel at home.Goes on to thank the club's owners, Chief Executive David Hopkinson and the Sporting Director Ross Wilson.He says they did everything they could to keep me at Newcastle and I'm very grateful for our time together.

This move is very tough because Newcastle means so much to me. but I want to experience something new in my life.I feel ready for a new challenge for myself and my family.I had a very positive conversation with Matthias Jeissler and I leave knowing the club is in very good hands.To the supporters, thank you will never be enough, but I say it with all my heart, I will always be proud to be part of this club's journey.Thank you for everything.OK, well, let's get some reaction.

Soccer Saturday is back, and Michael Dawson's back.Great to have you with us.Right on cue for this breaking news as well, Dawson.What is your reaction?Shall we start with Arsenal's side of it?What does he give them?

Well, I think it gives you depth in the squad, depth which I think you need when you're going to try and return the Premier League and then give you a chance for the Champions League.One thing you can't do is stand still in the Premier League because there's teams coming behind you that want to be where you are and we saw it for numerous years with Manchester City.You look at the Arsenal squad as it is and you go, right, they're favourites to go and win the Premier League again.but we also know how hard it is.So to bring Bruno in, I mean, you look what he did over his five years for Newcastle, was instrumental in their success.And when Eddie Howe went into the football club, they were in a relegation battle.

He survived, and they've gone to grow and have two campaigns in the Champions League to win a Carabao Cup.I mean, it's quite remarkable to see where Newcastle are going now this season.In my opinion, will be a really challenging season for them.To lose your best players, Tenali, Gordon, Bruno, Kieran Trippy has left the football club, so for Newcastle it's a challenging summer for them.Yes, they have brought players in, young players that are unknown to the Premier League.But for Arsenal, I think this is a brilliant signing who can go in and he can help Declan Rice.

You know, Declan Rice last year was my favourite player for Arsenal and arguably the Premier League player of the season in my opinion.But I think he played 69 games.I mean, that is incredible to have the levels that he has to produce week in, week out.Champions League, Premier League.is running stats are mind -blowing.So you're bringing a player in that can maybe sometimes give him a rest.

Zouba Mendy, Louis Skelly, Odegaard.I mean, they've lost Chossard.Solis come in.So you look, they still have to bring players in I think that is going to be capable to compete in all the competitions which Arsenal have to.

When you pay £75 million for a guy who turns 29 in November, you have to assume he's going to play with that in mind.Does he play then alongside Declan Rice?Is it an old -fashioned you stay, I go kind of set up?Or will it be Declan's asked to do the six role and perhaps they bring in a conventional ten in Ezra or Odegaard in front of them?

Yeah, I mean, what we saw when Zouma Mendy came in for Arsenal, you thought, how is it going to work?Is it going to be Declan Rice and him?is but there's always one sitter and one goals I mean we look how how expansive Declan Rice can be he's up and down he is the box to box midfielder I look he's probably Steven Gerrard of the time coming up with goals so yeah he can play with Zuberman he can play with Declan Rice he can play with Odegaard he's gonna have to be a lot more disciplined I think because at Newcastle at times he was a free reign he got there go and do whatever you want put balls in the box free kick taker.It might be a little bit different at Arsenal because Odegaard will do that, Ezra will be the 10.So I think it's a brilliant signing for Arsenal and like I said, you can't stand still in this transfer market, albeit you are the champions.

You said about Newcastle United, you are concerned for them.Is there a sort of counter argument, if I wanted to be contrarian, that actually when he signed from Lyon four years ago, we weren't aware how good he was necessarily, and I know he's a Brazilian international.that point.Is there an argument maybe Sean Sturr from Ajax, maybe Aledja Bamba from Monaco, maybe They could in time replacement or is that just being, I guess, fanciful?

brought in last year you have to step up, you have to look at Antony and Anger, you have to look at...Volta Mada, Visa from last year.Players that came in for big money that didn't help the team improve, in my opinion.This is a chance for them that have been in the building for a year, they have to step up to the mark and try and help the new players come in.

And emotionally for Jaisal, you imagine how difficult.We've got the list here, Dawson, of the departures, just gone off there.But that must be body blows to the fans, because these are the guys that delivered that first trophy in a lot of the lifetimes of these Newcastle fans.

It is.And I remember when we lost Gareth Bale.and you're sort of losing your best players.They've lost three for Newcastle and they go, look, we've reinvested the money.We don't know what they're going to be like.Lost the manager.

I think you're losing Eddie Howe, who I think has been one of the best managers in the Premier League over the last five years since he's gone there.I am such an admirer of him.And I'm surprised that he left.No.So it's a huge opportunity for the new managers to come in, but it's a big task because we talk about Newcastle, it's always been so positive for the last two or three years.New ownership, where are they going to take the football club?

Yes, they've won a trophy.Yes, they've been in the Champions League.Now, the negativity around the football club, how do they please players deal with that?The players that are already in the building have to try and galvanise the new players.and try and get this Premier League up and running and give them a chance to try and be a top 10.That's what their aim is this year, has to be to try and be a top 10.

Can they do that?

I actually don't know.I really don't.I think they're going to be a team that really, really struggles this year, I do.Like Spurs, the last couple of years, not to...

Not expecting to struggle this year.But the last couple of seasons, could it be as bad as that?

Yeah, it could be.I really believe that when you've had such a continuity in players and a manager that has led it, they've all been together, they've been united, and I just look at this Newcastle project at the moment, it's a little bit disjointed, players leave and your manager leaves, and you know, those fans are amazing, they're unbelievably joyed as they travel all around the country, the numbers, the noise that they make, but they will just feel this.And some will go, no, new players coming in, young players, hungry to do well.We might be sitting here or standing here in eight months' time and going, they were a surprise package for me. I didn't expect that from Newcastle United.

We're reporting this morning that Newcastle are exploring a deal for Pierre -Emile Jolibier, who's just turned 31 a few days ago.How much could he counterbalance the loss of Guillaume Marech?I think there you go, they've brought young players in.

that don't know the Premier League.Pierre does know the Premier League.You know, he's serviced the requirements at Spurs.He's been away.You look at what Chelsea are doing, bringing Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson in.I think hierarchy is now realising that there is a role for experience in the dressing room.

Maybe not going to play every week, but there is a role to all be together.We see it at Spurs, bringing Andy Robertson in.The leadership group.He looks back.There is a place for these people.And I think Pierre, when he was at Spurs, was brilliant, the way he sort of managed it on the pitch.

He did.He understands the game.You've got experience.You don't need to look to the manager for security.I'm in charge of this pitch, and I can lead and dictate.And I think that's what he would do if he went to Newcastle, to try and help the younger players.

It does, not just because of the rumours whether Rodri is going to be there or not, I think the changeover in managers, we've got nine new managers in the Premier League that are managing different teams, so I think Enzo Moretti going to Manchester City, whether Rodri is there or not, it's going to be a big challenge.because we see what Pep has done for numerous years.He has got the best out of these players, and people say he's had the best players, but still, year after year, to get them going, week after week, and drive to win Champions League, win Premier League, he's done that.So I think for Manchester City, where the Rodri is there, it's going to be a tough, tough challenge for Maresco this year, and that's why I put Arsenal favourites.Yeah, my best mate went into Northampton with Chris Hogg, so as assistant manager.Big game for them today going to Leicester, which will be favourite in League One.

Yeah, difficult time for Leicester, but hopefully they can rebuild this season.Michael Dawson, thank you very much, appreciate it.Bit of extra work for you today.