Arteta backs Guimaraes to ‘ignite something different’ at Arsenal

London – Mikel Arteta has backed Bruno Guimaraes to “ignite something different” in English Premier League (EPL) champions Arsenal.

The Brazil international midfielder was introduced to Gunners fans ahead of a 3-2 friendly defeat by Borussia Dortmund on Aug 9, after completing a move from top-flight rivals Newcastle United, reported to be worth £75 million (S$129.4 million).

The 28-year-old has strengthened an already impressive midfield featuring Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi and Eberechi Eze.

“You can see the immediate reaction,” Arteta told Arsenal’s website after Guimaraes was given an enthusiastic reception at the Emirates Stadium.

“I think he describes himself as a warrior,” the 44-year-old Spaniard said.

“I think he’s a warrior with tremendous quality as well and intuition and leadership and charisma that is going to help us, that is going to really ignite something different in the team,” he added.

“I think he’s going to push everybody inside the team as well, and that’s the type of player that we need.”

Arsenal, after finishing runners-up for three successive seasons, finally ended their 22-year wait for the EPL title last term, while also reaching the Champions League and League Cup finals.

Guimaraes watched on as Ethan Nwaneri’s strike and Viktor Gyokeres’ penalty were not enough to prevent defeat by Dortmund.

Samuele Inacio, Konstantinos Karetsas and Joane Gadou scored for the Bundesliga side.

“Well, (I’m) disappointed that we lost the game,” said Arteta, who gave captain Odegaard his first minutes of pre-season following the World Cup.

“I think there were some poor moments where we were not very recognisable, especially in set-pieces and defending actions and timings that we are normally very efficient (in).”

Arsenal face Manchester City in the Community Shield on Aug 16 before launching their title defence against newly promoted Coventry City on Aug 21.

Meanwhile, City manager Enzo Maresca praised the impact of his wide players after Antoine Semenyo supplied assists for Omar Marmoush in a 3-1 victory over Atletico Madrid on Aug 9 to wrap up their pre-season tour of Asia.

Marmoush scored twice in three minutes early in the second half before substitute Rayan Ait-Nouri added a third in stoppage time, helping City overturn a half-time deficit in front of more than 50,000 fans at Seoul World Cup Stadium in South Korea.

“Overall, it was a very good test against one of the best teams in Europe,” Maresca said. “Credit to the players for the effort they have done.

“From tomorrow, pre-season is finished, and the real business starts.”

City dominated possession and created the better chances but fell behind against the run of play when Jorge Dominguez scored from close range shortly before half-time.

The EPL side finally made their pressure count in the 57th minute as Semenyo raced down the left and crossed for Marmoush to slide home the equaliser. Two minutes later, the pair combined again, with Semenyo delivering another low cross that Marmoush converted.

Semenyo finished the Asia tour with four assists in three matches, while Savinho also impressed on the opposite flank. Ait-Nouri completed the scoring late on, but Maresca said City still needed greater efficiency in front of goal.

“We need to be clinical. It’s something we need to improve,” he said. “Slowly we are getting there, and with Erling (Haaland) we can be even more dangerous. Today Omar scored twice. This is a boost.”

Maresca also said he was encouraged by the progress made during his first three matches in charge after succeeding Pep Guardiola, with City ending their Asia tour with a draw against Inter Milan, before a penalty shoot-out defeat, and victories over a K-League All-Stars side and Atletico.

“I know that when you join a new club, you try to install new patterns or different ideas; the most important thing is (that) we are getting better,” the 46-year-old Italian said.

“But the path is a huge path to improve things. But I can see we are trying what we do in training, and we are getting better at that.” AFP, REUTERS