Arsenal cannot sign Zubimendi and Guimaraes, David Ornstein says | OneFootball

Arsenal want to reinforce their engine room this summer as Thomas Partey and Jorginho prepare to leave for free. The Gunners need to fill that gaping hole. It will be a priority for incoming sporting director Andrea Berta.

Arsenal fans would have been thrilled with the news that broke during the week that Berta wants to replace the duo with some talented midfielders.

Reports from Spain claimed Berta wants to fill the void in the Arsenal centre with Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad and Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes.

The two would bolster the Arsenal engine room and make them a more formidable force, but it appears the reports are off the mark.

He said: “This is a personal opinion rather than sourced information; I don’t see Arsenal signing both Zubimendi and Guimaraes.

“We know of the historical Guimaraes links, but that ship seemed to have sailed, and I’m not sure I can envisage Arsenal paying the kind of money Newcastle would ask for Guimaraes (who, like Isak, they probably want to keep), especially given he turns 28 this year.”

There was good news for the Gunners faithful as Ornstein announced that the Zubimendi deal is at a very advanced stage, and the anticipation inside Arsenal is that he’s coming in. However, he reiterated that recruiting Zubimendi and Guimaraes would not be feasible even if Berta wanted them.

Arsenal should push for Guimaraes ahead of Zubimendi

While Zubimendi is an excellent technician and a composed operator on the ball, Guimaraes offers something the Gunners desperately need – Premier League experience, physicality, and a steely mentality.

With Partey and Jorginho set to leave, Arsenal need a midfield enforcer who can impose himself on games and thrive in the high-intensity battles of English football.

Guimaraes has already proven he can do that at Newcastle, making him a safer bet for immediate impact. If Arsenal want to reinforce their engine room and close the gap on Manchester City and Liverpool next season, Guimaraes should be the one they push for.