Arsenal sign Bruno Guimaraes as he admits tearful Newcastle exit

Midfielder Bruno Guimaraes has confessed that leaving Newcastle United for Arsenal was marked by sleepless nights and plenty of tears, describing the decision as one of the hardest of his career.

Emotional departure

Guimaraes spent four-and-a-half years at Newcastle, making 195 appearances and captaining the side, before the club’s supporters were left devastated by his exit. Photo by the club’s media team captured the captain’s emotional farewell.

Club director Ross Wilson even admitted that Guimaraes’ departure was the one transfer they had not planned for at the start of the summer. Wilson’s comment underlined how unexpected the move was for the Magpies.

“It was not just hard to tell Eddie [Howe] but to tell the owners and my teammates about deciding to leave Newcastle,” Guimaraes told the media this week. “I was crying when I said goodbye to the lads, and they were crying as well because we were a family there.”

Early impact at Arsenal

Even just a couple of months into his Arsenal spell, the midfielder has already helped the club win the Community Shield, secure six victories from seven Premier League fixtures, reach the League Cup fourth round and claim two wins from three Champions League matches, including a draw away to Bayern Munich.

By contrast, Newcastle have no European football, sit 11th in the Premier League and can only point to two League Cup wins as a bright spot in an otherwise modest season.

Guimaraes said he needed a new challenge, wishing Newcastle all the best and adding that he is already enjoying his time at Arsenal. He hopes to find the same love he felt at Newcastle among the Gunners.