Bruno Guimarães Admits Sleepless Nights and Tears Over Leaving Newcastle for Arsenal

• Bruno Guimarães says he “lost many, many nights of sleep” over his decision to leave Newcastle United for Arsenal in the summer.
• The 28-year-old says he cried as he said goodbye to his Newcastle teammates, and that the connection with the club was “unbelievable”.
• Arsenal paid £75 million ($100 million) for the former Newcastle captain, who has made 13 appearances for his new club.

The Goodbye That Left Bruno Guimarães in Tears

Bruno Guimarães has described the moment he told his Newcastle teammates he was leaving, and it was an emotional one. “I remember, when I said bye to the lads, I was crying,” the midfielder said. “They were crying as well.”

Guimarães spoke to reporters after Arsenal’s 2-2 Champions League draw at Bayern Munich on Wednesday. The 28-year-old spent four years at St James’ Park, became captain in 2024 and moved to the Gunners for £75 million ($100 million) in the summer.

He did not play down how hard it was. “It was very tough for me to make this decision,” Guimarães said. “I lost many, many nights of sleep.” He added that the strain reached his home: it was difficult “for my family”.

A Club in Upheaval

Newcastle sporting director Ross Wilson said at the time that the club had no wish to sell Guimarães in a turbulent transfer window. Several players, including Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali, were sold, and manager Eddie Howe also left. ESPN reports that the midfielder pushed to leave. Guimarães released a statement calling it “one of the toughest decisions of my life”.

On Wednesday he explained the pull of a fresh start. “I just wanted a new challenge,” he said. He also pointed to the changes around him at Newcastle: “a lot of players left as well. The gaffer left as well.”

His list of what he gave the club was short and specific. “I think I did great for Newcastle,” Guimarães said. “We won a trophy after 70 years. We got into the Champions League twice. We got to two finals.” Newcastle’s Carabao Cup win over Liverpool in the 2025 final was the club’s first domestic trophy in 70 years, and Guimarães lifted it.

“It is just time to move on,” he said.

Searching for the Same Love

Guimarães said Newcastle supporters gave him something he has not felt elsewhere. “I never felt so loved like the way I was at Newcastle,” he said. “I hope I can have the same love here at Arsenal, but the connection I had was unbelievable.” He described the dressing room in family terms: “we were a family there.”

He also wished his old club well and said he is enjoying his time at Arsenal.

Life Under Mikel Arteta

Guimarães had a slow start at Arsenal, with a groin injury holding him back, according to ESPN. He has now made 13 appearances and started back-to-back Champions League games for the first time in Munich.

Many Arsenal players talk about Mikel Arteta’s attention to detail, and Guimarães joined in. He described the manager as “a little bit addicted to videos” and said Arteta wants to help his players improve on the pitch. “I think we have a top manager with a top mentality,” Guimarães said. “We want to win everything possible.”

WRITTEN BY

Jarrod

Jarrod Partridge is the Founder of Futbol Chronicle and an accredited journalist with over 30 years of experience following international football. A member of the AIPS International Sports Press Association, Jarrod has covered matches at stadiums around the world, bringing first-hand insight to every match report, player profile, and tactical analysis he writes.

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