Jack Wilshere has declared that Arsenal would be sending a resounding 'statement' to the rest of the Premier League if they successfully secure the signings of Bruno Guimaraes and Vinicius Junior this summer. The former Gunners midfielder, speaking on Sky Sports News, believes such deals would demonstrate the club's ambition to build on their recent title triumph.
Arsenal's summer ambitions
Arsenal's hierarchy are refusing to rest on their laurels following last season's Premier League title victory. The English champions have already bolstered their squad with goalkeeper Illan Meslier and left winger Christos Tzolis, while also activating the £34.5million option to make Piero Hincapie's loan deal permanent. However, it is clear that the club's ambitions extend further, with significant interest in two of Brazil's most high-profile players.
Club bosses have grown increasingly hopeful of securing a move for Guimaraes, who has reportedly informed Newcastle of his desire to switch to the Emirates. Over the weekend, ESPN Brasil claimed that Arsenal had made a breakthrough, agreeing on an £80m fee with Newcastle for the 28-year-old central midfielder. Yet, widespread reports today indicate that the two clubs remain apart on valuation, with the Magpies said to have rejected an opening bid from Arsenal.
Wilshere's praise for Guimaraes
Discussing Guimaraes' proposed move, Wilshere talked up the midfielder's 'quality' and suggested he would be a 'top signing' for his former side. Asked how Guimaraes might fit into Arsenal's midfield, Wilshere replied: 'The one thing that I don't see changing is Declan Rice. Whenever the team played well last year, he was a big part of that. He needs a rest now, he's had a lot going on in the summer of course, but to add quality… Bruno is a player that I really enjoy watching. With Mikel's coaching and how he'll try and shape the way he plays, plus the quality that he already has, I think it would be a top signing if they managed to get it done.'
Wilshere also admitted he had been constantly checking for updates on Arsenal's rumoured move for Real Madrid superstar Vinicius, one of the summer's most unexpected transfer sagas. The ex-England midfielder is 'interested' to see how far Arsenal's interest extends in what he believes would be a 'statement' signing for both the club and the Premier League more generally.
A statement of intent
'I'm like everyone else, I keep reading it in and seeing whether it's getting closer,' Wilshere explained. 'It would definitely be a statement. It would be a statement from Mikel and from the club that they won the league last year and they're not resting on that. They want to go again, they want to improve, of course, on the pitch but obviously the commercial side as well with signing someone like that. It will be interesting to see how that one plays out.'
Having played alongside and worked with Arteta while in charge of Arsenal's Under-18 team, Wilshere has no doubts about his old midfield partner taking his eye off the ball after last season's success. He added: 'I had no doubt about that, knowing Mikel like I know Mikel and actually being fortunate enough to spend some time there when I was with the Under-18s but also a little bit before when I was training. To see the demands that he sets and how hungry he is to try and improve the club and get the club back to where he feels they belong, he's done that. He's won the Premier League and I had no doubt. I saw the look in Mikel's eyes during the Champions League final, that really hurt him and I knew that he was going to want to improve again, go again.'
Looking ahead
'There's probably an opportunity for Arsenal to go and do that and win the league next year, try and build on that, and then maybe the Champions League,' Wilshere added. Arsenal kicked off their busy pre-season schedule with a comfortable 3-0 win over MK Dons and are currently preparing to face Real Betis in Dublin. Arteta's men then return home to the Emirates for a double-header against Borussia Dortmund and Como, before their Community Shield showdown with Manchester City on August 16. The north London giants begin their Premier League defence five days later at home to newly promoted Coventry City.
