At a Glance:
- Arsenal are reportedly targeting Anthony Gordon in the summer.
- Mikel Arteta’s side should try to sign Gordon’s Newcastle United teammate.
- Newcastle intend to extend their star man’s contract.
Arsenal have been heavily linked with a move to sign Anthony Gordon in the summer, despite the winger extending his contract at Newcastle United until 2030 as recently as in February.
Recently, it has been claimed that Arsenal have done their homework on Gordon as they explore the prospect of prising him away from St. James’ Park.
However, Bayern Munich have held talks to sign Gordon to add yet another name to their left-wing department that already includes the in-form Luis Diaz.
Gabriel Martinelli’s future is uncertain and keeping that in mind, one can understand why the Gunners seem to have shortlisted the Carabao Cup winner as his replacement.
Arsenal should sign Bruno Guimaraes instead of Anthony Gordon
While Gordon’s body of work in the Premier League is enough to suggest that he is a top-class wide forward, one could argue that Arsenal should push to sign his teammate Bruno Guimaraes instead.
Sandro Tonali has caught Arsenal’s eye but Guimaraes has been a more influential figure for Newcastle this season — providing 16 goal involvements in all competitions in comparison to the latter’s tally of 10.
| Stats in all competitions | Bruno Guimaraes | Sandro Tonali |
| Starts | 32 | 42 |
| Goals | 9 | 3 |
| Assists | 7 | 7 |
| Goal contributions | 16 | 10 |
Considering Gordon has just six more goal contributions (22, 17 goals and five assists) than the Brazilian despite being a winger while having registered 16 (nine goals and seven assists) highlights two truths.
- Gordon’s steady decline as he provided 28 goal contributions in the 2023/2024 season (12 goals and 16 assists) in total.
- Guimaraes’ growth as a midfielder.
Furthermore, Guimaraes could also prove to be an upgrade on Martin Zubimendi, who has come under fire as his form has suffered a nosedive during the second half of the campaign.
The Spaniard has been guilty of making a series of careless errors across the campaign against sides like Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United that led to Richarlison and Bryan Mbeumo’s goals respectively.
Guimaraes’ consistency has been one of his strongest suits for years and unlike Zubimendi, the former Lyon dynamo is a far more progressive passer — be it in terms of breaking the lines or playing eye-catching diagonal passes to Newcastle’s attackers.
Defensively as well, the Magpies skipper is no slouch as he excels at astutely reading danger and crunching into timely tackles — winning the most offensive duels in the Premier League back in November.
🏴 Premier League Midfielders: Offensive duels won
— DataMB (@DataMB_) November 6, 2025
🥇 Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle, 27) — 45
🥈 E. Anderson (Nottingham Forest, 22) — 41
🥈 Lucas Paquetà (West Ham, 28) — 41
🏅 Matheus Cunha (Man United, 26) — 39
🏅 João Gomes (Wolverhampton, 24) — 37
📊 https://t.co/McR5zrPkTO pic.twitter.com/zS1WEqOKjW
With Guimaraes having thrived as a number six and in central midfield for Newcastle as well, he could provide Declan Rice a breather as well. One could argue than in Rice and Guimaraes, Mikel Arteta would arguably possess the two most complete midfielders in England if the Newcastle man joined Arsenal.
Bruno Guimaraes’ stance on Newcastle exit
However, ESPN have revealed that the Rio de Janeiro-born star has “privately” ensured that he will not a force a move away from Newcastle in the summer.
Furthermore, Newcastle World have claimed that Eddie Howe’s men intend to extend Guimaraes’ contract beyond 2028.
Whether Arsenal will indeed target Guimaraes or focus on signing Gordon in the summer remains to be seen.
Considering Guimaraes is yet to have even flirted with a move away from Newcastle could suggest that he remains loyal but even so, it is difficult for any player to resist Arsenal’s interest.
