Mikel Merino Calls Arsenal's Midfield the Best in Football After Bruno Guimaraes Signing

Mikel Merino has boldly declared that Arsenal now have the best midfield in football after the club secured Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United for £75 million. The Brazilian international’s arrival at the Emirates Stadium strengthens a squad that clinched the Premier League title last season.

Unmatched Midfield Strength

Merino highlighted the remarkable depth and talent in Arsenal’s midfield, describing it as "probably the best midfield in football." The World Cup winner expressed excitement about the fierce competition within the squad, saying:

"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."

Merino also praised Guimaraes, calling him an "amazing signing" who consistently showed his quality during his time at Newcastle. He added:

"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."

Guimaraes Impresses Early

The new midfielder wasted no time making an impression, debuting in a pre-season match against Italian side Como. Manager Mikel Arteta praised Guimaraes’ eagerness, noting that despite having only three training sessions with the team, he pushed hard to get playing time.

"He wanted to get his debut and the feeling of playing in front of our fans immediately. You sense it immediately. I believe there’s a strong connection at play and that is going to make us better," Arteta said.

Hunger for More Success

Despite winning the Premier League last term, Merino insists the squad remains driven to add more silverware. He emphasized that alongside their quality and depth, their appetite for trophies sets them apart.

"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. 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."

• Transfer: Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United to Arsenal for £75 million
• Contract: Four years signed with Arsenal
• Debut: Pre-season match against Como (Italy)
• Competition: Premier League, Community Shield upcoming fixture vs Manchester City on 16 August 2026 at 16:00