Mikel Arteta is pushing Arsenal to play more entertaining football this season, according to new signing Bruno Guimaraes. The revelation comes as the Gunners maintain a perfect start to their Premier League title defence, sitting second with nine points from three games.
What did Bruno Guimaraes reveal about Arteta's plan?
Bruno Guimaraes told the Daily Mirror that manager Mikel Arteta is "very obsessed" with improving the team's style of play. The Brazilian midfielder, signed this summer, said the goal is to build on last season's title win by performing even better. He pointed to the recent 2-1 victory over Chelsea as an example of the attractive football Arteta wants.
Guimaraes explained that Arteta has been clear about his intentions from their first conversation. "I think that since the first time I talked to him, he's very obsessed with these things, he's always improving," the player said. Arteta himself praised his team's "exceptional performance" against Chelsea, calling it a sign they can reach higher levels this campaign.
How did Arsenal exploit Chelsea's midfield?
According to a report by Jacob Steinberg in The Guardian, Arsenal's midfield power was a key factor in their win over Chelsea. The Gunners took advantage of Chelsea's absence of key midfielder Moisés Caicedo, who missed the game with an unspecified issue. Declan Rice was able to drive through the centre, and Martin Ødegaard's winning goal came after he escaped the attention of Reece James.
The analysis noted that Chelsea, under new manager Xabi Alonso, attempted to play actively rather than sit deep. While they scored early through Morgan Rogers, their midfield shortcomings were exposed by the reigning champions. Arsenal's current defensive record of just one goal conceded in three league games underscores their solidity, which you can track on our stats page.
Was Gabriel lucky to avoid a red card against Chelsea?
Pundits argued that Arsenal defender Gabriel was fortunate not to be sent off for a first-half challenge on Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez. Wayne Rooney stated on Match of the Day that Gabriel "boots him in the head" and was "extremely lucky to stay on the pitch," as reported by the Daily Mirror. Ashley Young also felt the Brazilian had "got away with one."
This incident has sparked debate, with some recalling previous occasions where Gabriel might have been dismissed. In an April 2026 match against Manchester City, he was involved in a confrontation with Erling Haaland that resulted in yellow cards for both. Former referee Dermot Gallagher said at the time that Gabriel was "very unwise" and ran a risk with his actions.
What was the tunnel moment involving Andrea Berta?
After the Chelsea match, Arsenal fans noted an interaction in the tunnel between the club's sporting director, Andrea Berta, and Chelsea forward João Pedro. The Daily Mirror reported that Pedro, who has two goals and two assists this season, was on a list of 20 potential Arsenal targets during the recent transfer window. Concerns about his fit in Arteta's system and a likely high price from Chelsea meant a move did not materialise.
The brief encounter has fueled speculation, but Arsenal's immediate focus is on maintaining their strong start. The club's squad list shows the depth currently available, though they are without the injured William Saliba and Cristhian Mosquera.
What happened to former director Edu after leaving Arsenal?
Edu's tenure as Global Head of Football at Nottingham Forest has ended after a difficult period. The Daily Mirror reports that the former Arsenal technical director's work at Forest "was not what he envisaged" when he took the job. The Telegraph states he struggled to build relationships with key staff, and several of his transfer decisions failed to push the club forward after they qualified for Europe in 2025.
Edu left Arsenal in 2024 after helping rebuild the squad with Arteta. His subsequent move to a multi-club model at Forest, which also involved Olympiacos and Rio Ave, did not yield the expected results. He had been sidelined for months before his departure was confirmed.
Arsenal now turn their attention to an away match against Sunderland on September 12. The Black Cats are currently 12th in the table, and the Gunners will look to extend their winning run. You can see the full standings and the upcoming fixtures on our site.
