Bruno Guimaraes received messages from Gabriel and Declan Rice ahead of joining Arsenal in a £75million move.
The Brazilian was on Saturday unveiled as the Gunners’ biggest summer signing to date, signing a four-year contract, with the option of a further 12 months, to swap Newcastle for north London.
Guimaraes has been brought in by Mikel Arteta to provide competition for and play alongside the likes of Rice and fellow midfielder Martin Zubimendi, who struggled with fitness and form in the latter stages of last season.
The 28-year-old joins a Brazilian continent at the Emirates Stadium, which includes Gabriel, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus.
Confirming that he has been in touch with the trio, Guimaraes told Arsenals: “Big Gabi was very excited. Every time he sent me the message, ‘we’ll wait for you, when will you come?’
“I'm so excited to join them, not only the Brazilians, we have an amazing squad here. I'm so excited to meet the other players, to start training. I just want to give my best.”
Guimaraes has a history of tough-tackling battles for Arsenal from his time with Newcastle, and revealed that Rice has already been in touch to welcome him to the club.
He continued: “Rice sent me a message: ‘Come here and please no more fights, now we’re friends.’ I was happy he messaged me, but the midfield we have here, in my point of view, is one of the best in Europe.
“Everyone is an amazing player, I'm so excited to start chatting and play, and know the players very, very well, but we have an amazing midfield.”
