Arsenal are now looking to press ahead with their efforts to land their primary midfielder target this summer. The Gunners are looking to add to two key positions this summer, and from there, it will be about filling out the squad in the wake of any potential departures.

The left wing and midfield are in need of strengthening, and to be specific, Mikel Arteta wants a number 8 who can dominate defensively and also spark transitions by carrying the ball into the final third.

Those two deals will not come cheap, and Arsenal are well aware of that, especially given they are on the lookout for clear upgrades, which are not easy to find when you have such a strong squad, as Arsenal do.

But there could be a deal to be done for midfielder priority Bruno Guimaraes, and that’s despite Newcastle United already losing two key players in Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon this summer.

Arsenal now ready to make Guimaraes push

Arsenal have been linked with Guimaraes for much of the summer, but reports suggest that have largely been playing the waiting games, holding discussions with representatives but not yet approaching Newcastle.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal are now ready to push ahead in a bid to strike a deal, but it will all come down to price.

“Arsenal set for new club to club contacts next week for Bruno Guimarães deal. Personal terms in place and new approach with Newcastle anticipated to proceed + £70m proposal expected to be improved. Deal depends on #NUFC decision on exit/price.”

Reports this summer have suggested that Newcastle may hold out for closer to £85million, or at least £80million, and that will give Arsenal a decision to make.

The Gunners need to be careful with their spending, given they know a world-class winger signing is likely to cost them a giant sum, potentially nine figures. Arsenal’s off-the-pitch profits mean they do have the space to spend, albeit a couple of sales may be necessary to be on the safe side, but their spending is not going to be in the £250-£300million range, as it has been in the past, so they need to be careful how much they spend on Guimaraes, and how much money they leave for that all-important left-wing signing, which is arguably more important.

Guimaraes an ‘exceptional’ midfielder

Guimaraes has become one of the most reliable midfielders in the Premier League, and perhaps worldwide, during his time at Newcastle United. Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti said of the midfielder recently: “Bruno is a very important player for us. He has quality, personality and character. He is able to play in different positions and gives us a lot of energy in midfield. He has shown that he can be decisive with the ball, but also works hard without it.”

Eddie Howe added: “Players like Bruno are not around every corner. They are very, very rare. Bruno should be appreciated for everything he brings.” Even Pep Guardiola, after facing the Brazilian, has said in the past: “He is an exceptional holding midfielder. He is aggressive, with the ball or without.”

Arsenal returned to Sobha Realty for pre-season training on Monday, although Mikel Arteta will have a depleted squad to work with over the next few weeks, with many players yet to make their way back due to their involvement at the World Cup.

The Gunners may have ended their 22-year wait for a Premier League title last season, but Arteta and Andrea Berta aren’t prepared to rest on their laurels. The North London club’s hierarchy want to build a dynasty at the Emirates Stadium over the coming years, as many of their closest rivals deal with periods of transition.

Bruno Guimaraes is being targeted by Berta, while Arsenal are also intent on bolstering their attack this summer, with Julian Alvarez and Barcely Barcola linked with a switch to N5.

There is a need to make these signings quickly, with Arteta’s squad set to be short on options in the opening few weeks of the campaign. 15 of the Spaniard’s ensemble were competing in North America over the summer, and all of these players are now set to receive extended rests, with their planned returns to training scattered across multiple weeks.

FIFA rules stipulate that players must be given a minimum of three consecutive weeks off between seasons, although reports suggest Arsenal might extend this break to four weeks to allow their overburdened stars to properly recover from an exhaustive last 12 months.

Who is already in Arsenal pre-season training?

Arsenal were one of the most represented clubs at the World Cup this summer, and a symptom of this is that Arteta is likely to field a somewhat unrecognisable starting XI in the Gunners’ first few matches of pre-season.

Everyone who wasn’t called up by their nations for the World Cup, or plays for a country that didn’t qualify, returned to full training on Monday.

Illan Meslier signed from Leeds earlier this summer, and he joined the likes of Kepa Arrizabalaga and Tommy Setford in goalkeeper sessions this week. At the back, Jurrien Timber and Ben White returned to work on their respective recoveries from injury, although it’s not clear how involved either right-back was in Arteta’s wider group sessions.

Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup, so Riccardo Calafiori has enjoyed a summer off and is now ready to get going again for the Gunners. Cristhian Mosquera didn’t make Luis de la Fuente’s tournament-winning squad, but is back and available for the Gunners from the outset.

Elsewhere, Myles Lewis-Skelly is back at Sohba Realty already after failing to make the cut with England. He’s been joined by fellow Hale End academy graduates Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman, as well as Reiss Nelson, who has returned from his loan at Brentford.

Christian Norgaard, Fabio Vieira and Gabriel Jesus, all of whom could leave Arsenal this summer, also returned on Monday, for what could be their final few weeks at London Colney.

When will each World Cup player return to Arsenal training?

Stephane Mahe via Reuters

Going off the assumption that each player who featured at the World Cup for Arsenal will get four weeks off, the players who returned on Monday are likely to be the only ones available to Arteta for the Gunners’ game against Girona on August 1.

That said, they may have one more to add to the group who could easily play against the Spanish side. Christos Tzolis has signed for Arsenal from Club Brugge, and he could be immediately thrown into the fold, as the Greek has already been back at training for several weeks.

Every Arsenal player at the World Cup reached the knockout stages, although three fell at the first hurdle once the group stage was over. Kai Havertz was knocked out with Germany on June 29, meaning his return could be pencilled in for Monday July 27.

Both Viktor Gyokeres and Piero Hincapie crashed out of the tournament a day later, meaning both could be back in training by Tuesday, July 28.

Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli went a step further, reaching the last 16 of the competition in North America. They left the United States on July 5 when Brazil lost to Norway, meaning both could return on Monday, August 3. If Guimaraes is acquired, this would naturally be the point where he also makes his first appearance in Arsenal training.

Martin Odegaard could follow the Brazilians through the door at Sobha Realty exactly a week later, four weeks after Norway’s game against England. This would give the playmaker the chance to be fit for the Community Shield match against Manchester City, which takes place on Sunday, August 16.

The next wave of Arsenal players could report back on Monday, August 17, following a four-week break after the conclusion of the World Cup. That timeframe would apply to those whose teams reached the semi-finals, with David Raya, Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke all likely to fall into this category. With the Premier League commencing just four days after this, the quintet will have limited time to build match fitness before the season’s curtain-raiser. This would also pertain to the likes of Alvarez and Barcola, if the Gunners complete moves for either of these World Cup stars.

The situation is different for William Saliba, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka. Arsenal are expected to take a more cautious approach with all three, who are each managing injury issues and require an extended recovery period before returning to training.

The club is still waiting to determine the full extent of Saliba’s back problem, while Rice and Saka are anticipated to remain on leave until after the first international break. If that plan is followed, the England internationals would not be back in contention until the middle or latter stages of September.

Ultimately, Arteta is going to have to cope with a tumultuous and chaotic pre-season, with players arriving at different times and several of them set to miss multiple matches, in the season proper as well as the preparation fixtures.

Former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro made his debut for Inter Miami on Saturday night, playing the full 90 minutes as the David Beckham-owned side earned a 1-0 victory over Montreal.

The Brazilian joined the MLS outfit after the World Cup, having become a free agent when his contract with the Red Devils expired. That came despite the Old Trafford faithful appearing desperate for the 34-year-old to extend his stay.

A move across the pond instead seemed to signal that his best days were behind him. Many European football stars head to the USA with retirement in mind, but the reaction to his debut suggests Casemiro may still have a lot left in the tank.

Fans Cast Verdict on Casemiro After MLS Debut For Inter Miami

Matthew Childs via Reuters

Across 90 minutes this weekend, Casemiro managed to make one key pass, complete 89 per cent of his passes, and also contribute to three defensive actions. While the fact he only won two of his six total duels might imply he struggled in the midfield battle at times, fans have been quick to sign his praises, as one X user remarked (watch his full highlights below):

Another continued: “Casemiro was just cruising man, MLS is way too easy for him,” as a third wrote: “This is like Sunday league for him.” Meanwhile, a fourth also concluded: “Bro already dominating that league.”

Casemiro’s Transfer is Being Investigated

via Reuters

Casemiro’s first game in the iconic pink of Miami was overshadowed by a serious injury to his new teammate German Berterame, who was taken away in an ambulance. But, more broadly, his switch to America has begun on uneven ground after the league opened up an investigation about how his new club went about securing a deal for him.

The investigation centres around the ‘discovery rights’ of Casemiro. MLS clubs are allowed to name up to five players on their ‘discovery list’. If a player on their list then moves to another MLS team, the buying club must agree a fee to obtain the ‘discovery rights’.

LA Galaxy held the ‘discovery rights’ for Casemiro and Inter Miami confirmed they had reached an agreement to obtain them. However, the MLS are investigating ‘tampering allegations’ against The Herons, as per Manchester Evening News.

“The league is gathering all relevant information and will refrain from further comment until the review is complete,” the MLS said in a statement. “While Inter Miami CF and the LA Galaxy have reached a settlement for the discovery priority [first rights] to sign Casemiro, the terms will be released upon conclusion of the tampering investigation.”