Where does Guimaraes fit in at Arsenal?

It is easy to understand why Arsenal have signed Bruno Guimaraes. The now ex-Newcastle captain is one of the Premier League's most complete midfielders, capable of dominating and destroying but also scoring and creating, with passing ability to match his physicality. <p>The Gunners have signed the 28-year-old for £75m, and he joins a group of midfielders already including Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino and Myles Lewis-Skelly. So, where and how does he fit in?</p><h3><strong>No 6 or No 8?</strong></h3><p>Guimaraes can play as a deep-lying midfielder or a more advanced No 8. He explained his preference for the latter position in an interview with <em>Sky Sports</em> in October 2022, when he was being used by former Newcastle boss Eddie Howe in the No 6 role.</p><p>"To be honest, if you ask me this question, I have to say I prefer to play at No 8, but I think my role here, at No 6, is exactly what the team needs," said Guimaraes. "It is to take the ball out, to do some passes, to find the wingers and the strikers.</p><ul><li><a href="https://qrcode.skysports.com/TransfersSkySportsApp" target="_blank"><strong>Transfer Centre LIVE!</strong></a><strong> | </strong><a href="https://qrcode.skysports.com/skysports/Arsblogarticles" target="_blank"><strong>Arsenal news & transfers</strong></a>🔴⚪</li><li><a href="https://www.skysports.com/arsenal-scores-fixtures" target="_blank"><strong>Arsenal fixtures & scores</strong></a><strong> | </strong><a href="https://qrcode.skysports.com/skysports/FreePLHighlightsFirst" target="_blank"><strong>FREE Arsenal highlights</strong></a>▶️</li><li><strong>Got Sky? </strong><a href="https://qrcode.skysports.com/skysports/WatchPremarticles" target="_blank"><strong>Watch Premier League games LIVE on your phone</strong></a>📱</li><li><strong>Not got Sky? </strong><a href="https://www.sky.com/tv/sports?dcmp=Ilc_skysports_nc_articlelink" target="_blank"><strong>Latest Sky Sports deals</strong></a><strong> or </strong><a href="https://www.nowtv.com/membership/watch-sky-sports/football/premier-league?DCMP=ilc_skysports_nc_articlelink" target="_blank"><strong>stream PL games with no contract</strong></a>📺</li></ul><widget id="17"></widget><p>"I can play both positions, but Eddie has a choice to make and, for me, the most important thing is just to play and to help Newcastle get the three points. I think my best position is at No 8 but I can play at No 6. It's not a problem for me."</p><p>Guimaraes ended up playing in his favoured role for Newcastle after Sandro Tonali took over at No 6, but his flexibility, and willingness to put the team first, will doubtless appeal to Mikel Arteta, who loves players able to slot into different positions.</p><p>Guimaraes' versatility shines through when breaking down his minutes played by position in the Premier League.</p> <widget id="8"></widget><p>The graphic above shows he has played most of his minutes for Newcastle at the base of midfield but also highlights his ability to play as both a right and left-sided No 8, providing further evidence of the flexibility he can bring to Arsenal in terms of how he is used.</p><p>Arsenal have already hinted at their desire to make the most of Guimaraes' abilities in both roles, with sporting director Andrea Berta stating he was signed to help the squad "develop [its] playing style" while also adding competition to Arteta's midfield.</p><p>"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," Berta said.</p><p>"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."</p> <widget id="14"></widget><h3><strong>The options he gives Arteta</strong></h3><p>Guimaraes himself describes his style as that of a "warrior" - but one who can play too. "I'm good with the ball, composed, very calm," he added upon his signing.</p><p>Even when ostensibly starting as Newcastle's No 6, Guimaraes was platformed to attack. "With the way we are playing, Dan Burn is at left-back, so he can stay in the middle and I can go and be another player to help the attackers," the Brazilian added to <em>Sky Sports</em> in 2022.</p> <widget id="10"></widget><p>Guimaraes finished that season with four goals and five assists in the Premier League for Newcastle, despite playing as the No 6. He was even more productive in the following campaign, scoring seven goals and providing eight assists in the same role.</p> <widget id="13"></widget><p>In total, the midfielder contributed an impressive total of 30 goals and 25 assists in 153 Premier League appearances for the club, underlining the extent of his attacking threat.</p><p>Arsenal have plenty of full-backs capable of tucking inside to allow him to get forward from the No 6 position. But another way to maximise Guimaraes' attacking qualities in a box-to-box role would be to use him as part of a double pivot.</p> <widget id="5"></widget><p>Rice could be the perfect foil.</p><p>The 27-year-old spent most of last season playing as Arsenal's left-sided No 8, with Zubimendi playing at No 6. But he finished it playing further back, on the right of a double pivot with Lewis-Skelly, who impressed after his late-season move into midfield.</p><p>Rice excelled alongside the youngster. Like Guimaraes, he has the energy to get up and down the pitch as a box-to-box midfielder but he is also tactically aware and disciplined in his positioning.</p> <widget id="15"></widget><p>Even before he was moved back into a double pivot last season, Rice often provided cover for Zubimendi, who was able to score five Premier League goals while playing as Arsenal's No 6.</p><p>Using Guimaraes and Rice in a double pivot would allow Arteta to deploy one of Martin Odegaard or Eberechi Eze as a pure N...