Why Bruno Guimarães Could Be Key in Helping Arsenal Make History

There is something particularly valuable about having a player capable of changing a game with a single strike. It's something that many have argued Arsenal have lacked in recent years.

With the Gunners trailing to yet another James Justin goal at the Emirates, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta turned to his wealth of options on the bench in search of turning the game around. Among those introduced was Bruno Guimarães, who required little time to make his mark and justify his managers decision. 

The Brazilian midfielder struck the winning goal in the 70th minute to complete the turn around for Arsenal, securing three valuable points following the demoralising defeat against Brighton. It was another decisive contribution from a player who is quickly demonstrating why he could be so important to Arsenal's ambitions this season. 

This, however, isn't the first time this season that Guimarães has played a pivotal role off the bench and saved Arsenal's blushes. The summer signing evidently showed this against Sunderland in September, curling a superb effort into the top right corner to break the deadlock in a notoriously difficult away fixture. Arsenal went on to secure a 2-0 victory, with his intervention proving pivotal in a contest that had threatened to become increasingly uncomfortable. 

Against Leeds, he proved vital once again. This time, a flowing passing move involving Declan Rice, Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka, created the opportunity for Guimarães, who at the edge of box once again, fired a low effort past the diving James Trafford into the bottom left corner. 

Two difficult matches, two important goals and one recurring theme. Guimarães offers Arsenal something they have lacked in abundance throughout recent seasons. A player who, even when Arsenal's attacking play is struggling to create an opening, can punish opponents with a moment of magic. Something that is vital for a team looking to retain the status of being champions of England. 

Crucially it also makes Arsenal more unpredictable. There may have been a worry that following the 3-0 defeat to Brighton and the opening hour against Leeds, that maybe some teams had begun, to an extent, to have worked Arsenal out. Guimarães offers the Gunners a different dimension. Opponents, who for years have concentrated on reducing the space offered to Arsenal's top attacking threats, such as Saka and Ødegaard, now have to be mindful of leaving space and time on the edge of the box, with a player so adept at punishing teams for it lurking. According to figures from Squawka, only his Arsenal teammate, Eberechi Eze (10) has scored more goals from outside the box in the Premier League than Bruno Guimerães (9) since the start of the 2022/23 season. 

However, reducing Guimerães' contribution to just his goals would be narrow minded. His high energy and high aggression approach, means his willingness to take responsibility in that Arsenal midfield makes him a crucial addition. The experience he already has being a leader and captain in Tyneside, means that despite not having the captain’s armband in North London, he already has the experience to take charge on the pitch and lead the team forward effectively. 

Mikel Arteta was full of praise for the 28 year-old in his post-match comments to the media,  noting in particular how despite not being at the level required last time out against Brighton, it was a much improved performance from the Brazilian this time. 

"Yeah, but he wasn't at that level against Brighton," Arteta admitted. "This is the level for Arsenal. Every week, every game, every minute, every action, you have to be at that level. Brighton, he wasn't, and today was much better. He can still be much better in the games that he's done. And that's what we have to demand, and this is what I demand to myself, I'm going to demand the same with the players."

Arsenal have the chance to write their own history this season. Their ambitions this season extend well beyond winning another Premier League title, as they now have the opportunity achieve something the club has never managed to do; successfully defend their crown and win the Champions League. Doing so will require contributions from everyone in the Arsenal squad. Guimerães could be central to this. 

Ultimately, Arsenal will not retain the Premier League because of one player alone. Title races are often defined by players who make the difference in matches that could otherwise have slipped away. It leads to the classic commentator line of, 'And that's what Champions do', as they secure victory from a game that had otherwise looked like an unlikely slip-up.

In Bruno Guimarães, Arsenal have a player that they can rely on for these moments. That when the season is over, they will be looked back upon as major moments in a campaign that Arsenal look to create a legacy.