Mikel Merino makes Arsenal claim after £75m Bruno Guimaraes transfer
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino (Picture: Getty) Mikel Merino says Arsenal ‘probably’ have the ‘best midfield in football’ after Bruno Guimaraes’ £75m move from Newcastle United. The Premier League champions signed Brazil international Guimaraes on a four-year deal after a protracted saga with Newcastle. Guimaraes bolsters an Arsenal midfield that already includes captain Martin Odegaard, England stars Declan Rice and Eberechi Eze, former Real Madrid target Martin Zubimendi, academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly and World Cup winner Merino. Arsenal will try to retain their Premier League crown this season while mounting another challenge for the Champions League after losing to PSG in the final back in May. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. Merino, who has returned to Arsenal after helping Spain win the World Cup, believes the Gunners are in good shape to do just that after the ‘amazing’ signing of Guimaraes. Guimaraes made his first appearance for Arsenal in Wednesday’s pre-season draw with Cesc Fabregas’ Como. ‘Amazing signing,’ Merino said when asked about the Newcastle star swapping St James’ Park for the Emirates Stadium. Mikel Arteta and new Arsenal signing Bruno Guimaraes (Picture: Getty) ‘He has proved throughout these years how good he is at Newcastle. And he showed it today again. 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 following Guimaraes’ arrival, Merino added: ‘Honestly, it’s unreal. Probably the best midfield in football. Arsenal are hoping to retain the Premier League (Picture: Getty) ‘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. https://www.instagram.com/p/Dbyqbq_COQ2/?hl=en&img_index=1 ‘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.’ Premier League legend and ex-England striker Alan Shearer also believes Arsenal boast arguably the best midfield on the planet following the deal for Guimaraes. ‘Arsenal are signing a top-quality player in Bruno Guimaraes,’ the Newcastle hero told Betfair. ‘There’s no doubt about that. ‘They’re signing a player who’s so comfortable on the ball under pressure, who can make that killer pass. He’s got a great attitude, too, we’ve seen that at Newcastle. ‘So, there’s no doubt he’ll improve them. I think with the likes of Rice, Odegaard and Bruno, there won’t be many better midfields out there.’ Arsenal begin their Premier League title defence with a home match against newly-promoted Coventry City a week on Friday. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
