Guimaraes reveals private Rice message after sealing Arsenal transfer

Declan Rice is more than happy to bury the hatchet with Bruno Guimaraes following his arrival at Arsenal, the Brazilian has revealed. Guimaraes was officially announced as a Gunner on Saturday after his £75million transfer from Newcastle.

The 28-year-old has taken the No.39 shirt after signing a five-year contract. He is the third high-profile player to leave Newcastle this summer, following Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali, after making it clear he only had eyes for Arsenal.

He has become the defending Premier League champions' second-most expensive player of all time, behind only Rice, who arrived for £105m from West Ham in July 2023.

Guimaraes is already well acquainted with Rice, having come up against the England star on the pitch on many occasions. And their fiery confrontation during Newcastle's 1-0 win over Arsenal at St James' Park in November 2023 has already come up between them.

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Speaking to the club website, Guimaraes revealed: “Rice sent me a message: ‘Come here and please no more fights, now we’re friends!’ I was happy he messaged me."

Guimaraes could play alongside Rice in Mikel Arteta's midfield, with the likes of Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze also competing for places. “In my point of view, [the Arsenal midfield] is one of the best in Europe. Everyone is an amazing player," Guimaraes added.

“Every time when I play against [Arsenal] it was very tough. They keep the ball, they defend like one. I think that combination is the way I like to play as well, and of course, joining the winners of the league is always a big opportunity.”

Asked what he will bring to the table, he said: “I can pass the ball, run a lot and play like a warrior, I'll never give up. I will try to help the team, [I’m] good with the ball, composed, very calm, and sometimes I can score some goals and hope to make everyone very, very happy here.”

Rice isn't the only Arsenal player Guimaraes spoke to before making the move to north London, with fellow Brazilian midfielder Gilberto Silva another to reach out.

“Of course, Gilberto Silva. I love him as a player,” he said. “I had the opportunity before to talk to Gilberto Silva. I hope I can follow his history here and make myself one of the very good players at Arsenal in history.”

Guimaraes spent four and a half seasons with Newcastle, where he helped win the Carabao Cup and become club captain. He says it was a difficult decision to leave behind the Magpies, but the right one for his career.

“I'm very excited,” he said. “I’m at the point of my life where I need a challenge like this. I want to win trophies, I want to make history and I think I'm in the right place to do it. I'm so excited to start.”