Well, it was gritty, but Arsenal showed why they are Premier League champions as they overcame an abject first hour to turn things around against Leeds United at the Emirates.
Mikel Arteta cut an exasperated figure once again on the touchline, but this time, the Gunners troops responded to his half-time hammering, with tactical tweaks paying dividends for an Arsenal side who could ill-afford to lose after being thrashed at Brighton before the international break.
The man of the moment: Bruno Guimaraes. The summer signing changed the game, and he’s already showing that he is a title-winning signing.
Why Bruno Guimaraes is a title-winning signing for Arsenal
Two goals. Both off the bench. Both winners.
We’re still early into the campaign, but Arsenal have well and truly hit the jackpot on Guimaraes. The Brazilian is experienced, skilled with world-class quality, and – this bit’s important – still chasing superstardom after a lower level of success with Newcastle.
It’s a devastating combination to add to a team such as Arsenal’s, already oiled and equipped to challenge for all the titles on offer this term.
Hailed as “one of the best midfielders in the league over the past few years” by Sky Sports journalist Dougie Critchley, Guimaraes, 28, has only started once in the division for Arsenal, but he is already proving his worth – and then some.
It’s clear that he will only go from strength to strength over the coming months, and with that in mind, it looks like another star’s north London career could be in real jeopardy.
Big-money Arsenal man is now finished
Arteta demands excellence. There is no question that the Spaniard is one of the world’s best managers, and all eyes are on Arsenal as the race for the Premier League title hots up.
With Guimaraes in the mix, the Gunners are all the stronger, but as the experienced midfielder settles into his skin, it will come at the expense of another.
Arsenal paid a premium to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad last summer. The Spain international arrived on a £60m deal, one year after rejecting Liverpool.
He played an important part, featuring in all 38 of the Londoners’ Premier League contests last year. However, it’s telling that Arteta has yet to hand him a starting berth this term – and as Guimaraes continues to settle in, that might not change any time soon.
The £100k-per-week Zubimendi is by no means a weak link in Arsenal’s midfield; rather, Arteta has created, organically and over seven years, a team to rival any across the history of the Premier League.
Therefore, Guimaraes’ arrival is not a condemnation of Zubimendi’s inferior quality, but instead, an illustration of the boundless ambition of this Gunners side, with Declan Rice welcoming a top-drawer partner to sit alongside resurgent Martin Odegaard, already looking a shoo-in for the Player of the Season in north London.
|
Premier League Form (2025/26) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stats (* per 90) |
Zubimendi |
Guimaraes |
|
Matches (starts) |
38 (34) |
29 (27) |
|
Goals + Assists |
5 + 1 |
9 + 5 |
|
Touches* |
61.3 |
70.1 |
|
Accurate passes* |
44.3 (87%) |
43.1 (86%) |
|
Big chances created |
1 |
7 |
|
Key passes* |
0.5 |
1.6 |
|
Possession lost* |
8.2 |
14.0 |
|
Succ. dribbles* |
0.2 |
0.6 |
|
Ball recoveries* |
3.1 |
4.7 |
|
Def. contributions* |
4.9 |
3.8 |
|
Duels won* |
4.0 |
5.8 |
Zubimendi is confident on the ball, but he’s also a touch conservative. Moreover, he lacks the kind of mobility and athleticism that Guimaraes provides in the engine room. There is far more to the South American’s game.
Chelsea were interested in signing Zubimendi this summer. The Blues explored a move for the 27-year-old, with Xabi Alonso driving it.
Frankly, it’s a bit scary. Arsenal have been the most consistent club in the country for the past four years. Now, the leash is off, and Arteta’s side are preparing to challenge Paris Saint-Germain and whoever else fancies a go for the tag of Europe’s finest outfit.
With Myles Lewis-Skelly stepping into the engine room, away from left-back, perhaps Zubimendi might have to accept that he has played his title-winning part – and should now prepare to move on for pastures new.