Bruno Guimaraes: I never felt so loved as I was at Newcastle United - joining Arsenal kept me up at night
Newcastle United transfers: Bruno Guimaraes has opened up about his struggles leaving the club to join Arsenal.
Bruno Guimaraes has revealed he faced many sleepless nights following his departure from Newcastle United to join Arsenal in the summer.
Guimaraes established himself as a club legend during his four-and-a-half-year stint at St James’ Park, captaining the club to Carabao Cup success in 2025.
But his £75million transfer to Arsenal in the summer has risked tarnishing the legacy he left behind on Tyneside. But even after the backlash he faced upon leaving Newcastle over the summer, Guimaraes has admitted he has never ‘felt so loved’ in his career.
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When asked about his decision to join Arsenal, Guimaraes revealed: “It was very tough for me to make this decision because I really enjoyed my time at the club, the affection I had for the fans.
“I lost many, many nights of sleep because it was difficult for me, for my family. I never felt so loved like the way I was at Newcastle. I hope I can have the same love here at Arsenal, the connection I had was unbelievable.
“When I said bye to the lads, I was crying. They were crying as well, because we were a family there.”
Bruno Guimaraes: “I did great for Newcastle”
Guimaraes left Newcastle following a 12th-place finish in the Premier League to join the champions. His departure followed the exits of Sandro Tonali to Tottenham Hotspur and Anthony Gordon to Barcelona.
The Brazilian made 195 appearances for the Magpies, scoring 31 goals. He also ended last season as the club’s top goalscorer in the Premier League with nine despite missing two months of the season due to injury.
“I think I did great for Newcastle,” Guimaraes added. “We won a trophy after 70 years. We got into the Champions League twice. We got to two [Carabao Cup] finals. I think I did what I could for the club.
“But sometimes in your life you have to make decisions, and in my mind I needed a new challenge.
“I love to face a new challenge and for me to come here, to get a new challenge in my life, was something that I wanted.”
The 28-year-old quickly won back some favour in the eyes of Newcastle fans by scoring his first Arsenal goal against rivals Sunderland at the Stadium of Light last month.