Mikel Merino has stated that the acquisition of Bruno Guimaraes now means that Arsenal possess "the best midfield in football" with the £75 million ($101 million) purchase adding even more quality.
The Premier League champions have not become complacent in the transfer market and have capitalized on Guimaraes' ambition to depart Newcastle United. The midfielder had been among the standout performers at St James' Park ever since joining them from Lyon in 2022.
It was the Brazilian who helped Newcastle capture the Carabao Cup in 2025, and he was consistently mentioned among the best midfielders in the Premier League. He will join an Arsenal team that features Spain's FIFA World Cup-winning pair Merino and Martin Zubimendi, as well as talisman Declan Rice among their options.
Myles Lewis-Skelly, who could yet leave the Emirates, is another competing for midfield playing time. Merino's adaptability makes him a tremendous asset, and he is delighted to see Guimaraes join their team.
He said, via The Mirror: "He has proved throughout these years how good he is at Newcastle. A lot of composure, technical ability, a lot of defensive effort as well. So it's a very good signing. A top player, but we have many of those in this team. So everyone that comes to help the team is welcome."
Asked about the strength of Arsenal's midfield after their latest addition, Merino claimed: "Honestly, it's unreal. Probably the best midfield in football. The amount of quality that we have there, with every player that can come on the pitch and make a good shift. It's great.
"That's good for the team. That's good for the squad. It raises everyone's level because if you have a bad day, the one that is close to you is going to do a great job. I think we have an amazing squad. The hunger is still there. Not because we won it last season, we're going to be happy with it.
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"We want more and more and more and we want every trophy possible. That's the best quality of this team. Not only the amount of depth that we have, the quality that we have in every position, but that hunger."
Guimaraes is Arsenal's most significant acquisition of the summer to date, and Mikel Arteta remains willing to conduct business at both ends of the field. The Gunners have been linked with Jarell Quansah and Ezri Konsa as they seek defensive reinforcements, while Victor Osimhen is the latest attacking target to emerge on their radar.
Source: Alloutsoccer.com
