Well, it was tough, but Arsenal showed they are the Premier League champions by going beyond the first hour to turn things around against Leeds United at the Emirates.
Mikel Arteta once again cut a nervy figure on the touchline, but this time the Gunners’ hordes responded to his half-time hammer, the tactical tweezers paying dividends for an Arsenal side who could have lost after being thrashed at Brighton before the international break.
Man of the moment: Bruno Guimaraes. The summer signing was a game-changer and he is already proving to be a title-winning signing.
Why Bruno Guimaraes is a title-winning signing for Arsenal
Two goals. Both off the bench. Both winners.
We’re early in the campaign but Arsenal have well and truly hit the jackpot in Guimaraes. The Brazilian is experienced, has world-class quality and – this is important – is still chasing superstardom after success at lower level with Newcastle.
It’s a devastating combination to add to a team like Arsenal, already oiled and equipped to challenge for all the titles on offer this term.
Hailed by Sky Sports journalist Dougie Critchley as “one of the best midfielders in the league in the last few years”, Guimaraes, 28, has only started once in the division for Arsenal, but he is already proving his worth – and then some.
It’s clear he’s only going to go from strength to strength in the coming months, and with that in mind, another star’s north London career could be in real jeopardy.
The big-money Arsenal man is over
Arteta demands perfection. There is no doubt that the Spaniard is one of the best managers in the world and all eyes are on Arsenal as the Premier League title race heats up.
With Guimaraes in the mix, the Gunners are stronger, but as the experienced midfielder settles into his skin, it will be at someone else’s expense.
Arsenal paid a premium to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad last summer. The Spain international has arrived in a £60m deal a year after turning down Liverpool.
He played an important role in 38 of the Londoners’ Premier League matches last year. However, he says Arteta has yet to give him a starting place this term – and that may not change anytime soon as Guimaraes continues to settle.
Zubimendi, who earns £100,000 a week, is by no means the weak link in Arsenal’s midfield; rather, Arteta has built a team organically and over seven years to rival any team in Premier League history.
Guimaraes’ arrival is therefore not a condemnation of Zubimendi’s lackluster quality, but rather an example of the sheer ambition of this Gunners side, with Declan Rice welcoming a top partner to sit alongside a resurgent Martin Odegaard, who is already set to be named Player of the Season in the North.
Premier League Kit (2025/26) | ||
|---|---|---|
Statistics (* to 90) | Zubimendi | Guimaraes |
Matches (Starting) | 38 (34) | 29 (27) |
Goals + Assists | 5 + 1 | 9 + 5 |
Touches* | 61.3 | 70.1 |
Accurate transmissions* | 44.3 (87%) | 43.1 (86%) |
Great chances were created | 1 | 7 |
Key links* | 0.5 | 1.6 |
Property Lost* | 8.2 | 14.0 |
Succ. dribbling* | 0.2 | 0.6 |
Ball Recovery* | 3.1 | 4.7 |
Def. contributions* | 4.9 | 3.8 |
Duels won* | 4.0 | 5.8 |
Zubimendi is confident on the ball, but he is also conservative. Plus, he lacks the kind of mobility and athleticism that Guimaraes provides in the engine room. There’s more to South America’s game.
Chelsea were interested in Zubimendi this summer. The Blues have explored a move for 27-year-old Xabi Alonso.
Frankly, it’s a little scary. “Arsenal” has been the most consistent club in the country in the last 4 years. Now, the bounce is over and Arteta’s side are set to challenge Paris Saint-Germain and others for the tag of Europe’s best outfit.
With Myles Lewis-Skelly stepping into the engine room away from left-back, perhaps Zubimendi will have to accept that he has played a title-winning role – and now prepare to move on to pastures new.