Arsenal now boast best midfield on the planet after Bruno Guimaraes transfer, claims Mikel Merino

BRUNO GUIMARAES will transform Arsenal’s midfield into the best on the planet, says Mikel Merino. The Gunners’ new £75m box-to-box midfielder made his debut in Arsenal‘s 1-1 draw with Como on Wednesday night and had fans and team-mates alike singing his praises at full-time. Bruno Guimaraes made his debut for Arsenal at the Emirates last night Credit: Getty Mikel Merino thinks that the Gunners’ new addition makes their midfield the best in the world Credit: Getty Guimaraes, 28, will join the likes of Merino, Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Eberechi Eze, Martin Zubimendi and Myles Lewis-Skelly – scorer on the night – in midfield, and World Cup winner Merino thinks there is no group stronger. The Spaniard said: “He’s proven how good he is over the years at Newcastle and he showed it again tonight. Sign up for the Arsenal newsletter Thank you! “He’s composed with great technical ability and a lot of defensive efforts as well – it’s a very good signing and he’s a top player but we have a lot of those in our team. “We probably have the best midfield in football, the amount of quality players we have there, and everyone can come on and put in a good shift, it’s great for the team.” The Brazilian is expected to partner Declan Rice at the base of Arsenal’s midfield, and could make his first competitive appearance under Mikel Arteta in the Community Shield against Manchester City on Sunday. That game will provide a good insight into whether Merino’s claims are correct, with the Arsenal trio matching up against Enzo Maresca‘s midfield trio of Elliot Anderson, Tijani Reijnders, and Phil Foden. Perhaps Arsenal’s is the best in the Premier League, but PSG’s trio of Vitinha, Joao Neves and Fabian Ruiz would beg to differ with Merino, so too might fans of Liverpool, Chelsea and Barcelona – particularly if they sign Rodri. And while some claim that the game is a “glorified friendly”, Merino insists there is no such thing as a friendly when you play for the Gunners. Most read in Sport BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS PSG’s Joao Neves and Vitinha have got a case for being better than Arsenal’s midfield Credit: AP He added: “No chance [It’s a glorified friendly]. There are no friendlies here. Not only because we are playing for a trophy, but because this is Arsenal and every game we play as Arsenal players we know is important. “We need to win it, that is what we represent every time we wear the shirt.” Comment now