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Mikel Arteta gives new Bruno Guimaraes injury update

Mikel Arteta has pushed back against suggestions that Bruno Guimaraes is set for a long spell on the sidelines, insisting the player didn’t even want to miss a game.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: Bruno Guimaraes of Arsenal during the pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and Como Calcio at Emirates Stadium on August 12, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Bruno Guimaraes picked up an injury in Arsenal’s Community Shield win over Manchester City, and the summer signing was ruled out of the Gunners’ Premier League opener against Coventry City as a result.

Newcastle-based journalists stirred the pot in midweek, with Luke Edwards of The Telegraph claiming it could be a few weeks out for the midfielder. Others suggested it might even be as many as six or seven weeks out.

But when asked if it might be that long, Mikel Arteta pushed back strongly against those claims.

Bruno Guimaraes of Arsenal during the pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and Como Calcio at Emirates Stadium on August 12, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images

“No, no, no,” Arteta said. “No, we expect that not to be ‘weeks’ at all. Let’s see how he evolves this week, [but] he didn’t even want to stop.

“He wanted to carry on, and we start to understand the character of the player! But I don’t expect that to be a big issue.”

As a reminder, Arsenal are next in action against Aston Villa on Monday, August 31st. So the Gunners have well over a week between fixtures.

Bruno Guimaraes of Arsenal shows a thumbs up after receiving his winner's medal following his team's victory in the 2026 FA Community Shield match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Principality Stadium on August 16, 2026 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Arsenal made a big investment in Guimaraes this summer, paying £75m for a player who is already 28 years old.

The hope is that the Brazilian will immediately slot into the team and perform, helping Arsenal to win trophies sooner rather than later. Bruno isn’t a long-term project, he’s Premier League-proven and in his peak years.

The fans got a glimpse of that during the Community Shield, with the midfielder showing plenty of ability and drive in a comfortable 3-0 win. But it’s obviously a setback to have lost the player to injury immediately after his debut.

But with Arteta suggesting the problem is nothing too serious, perhaps there’s a chance the Coventry City win is the only game the player will miss.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: Bruno Guimaraes of Arsenal is put under pressure by Alvaro Morata of Como 1907 during the pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and Como Calcio at Emirates Stadium on August 12, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
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