Bruno Guimaraes has revealed the message Declan Rice sent him before completing his £75million Arsenal move, bringing an end to a rivalry that produced several heated battles between the pair.
Arsenal officially announced the Brazil midfielder on Saturday after completing negotiations with Newcastle United.
ReadArsenal covered Bruno Guimaraes’ official £75m Arsenal signing earlier today, with the former Newcastle captain joining Mikel Arteta’s already formidable midfield.
Rice had already made sure his new teammate felt welcome.
Bruno Guimaraes Arsenal arrival ends Rice rivalry
“Come here and please no more fights, now we’re friends,” Rice wrote.
Guimaraes said he was pleased to receive the message and described Arsenal’s midfield as one of the best in Europe.
Supporters will be familiar with the competitive edge between the pair.
Rice and Guimaraes have clashed during several intense Arsenal-Newcastle meetings, with neither midfielder particularly willing to give ground in the centre of the pitch.
Arteta can now attempt to use that aggression to Arsenal’s advantage.
Guimaraes joins a midfield containing Rice, Martin Zubimendi and Martin Odegaard, giving the Arsenal boss considerable freedom to alter his combinations depending on the opposition.
His £75m arrival also represents one of Arsenal’s biggest investments of the Arteta era.
Guimaraes has made clear that trophies are the objective after leaving Newcastle, while Rice’s message suggests any previous rivalry has already been put aside.
Arsenal supporters could now get to enjoy the pair fighting on the same side.
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