Guimaraes reveals old rivalry with Rice: 'I was not nice to him'
Bruno Guimaraes was not shy about admitting the pair used to despise facing off against each other. Now, he says, the relationship with Declan Rice has flipped entirely, and the Arsenal midfield is reaping the benefits.
Guimaraes came within inches of his first Champions League goal in Arsenal colours during Wednesday's draw at Bayern Munich, only for Manuel Neuer to produce a stunning save to deny his header. Minutes later, it was Rice who struck a late piledriver to rescue a point for the Gunners at the Allianz Arena.
The Friday Injury Tracker
Who's out, who's back and what it means for the next two games.
Speaking after the match, Guimaraes reflected on the occasion with real enthusiasm. “I think it was an unbelievable game for those who like football. It was good character from the team,” he said. “Neuer saved my header, it was an unbelievable save. I was already celebrating and then he pulled off a miracle, from my point of view. But this is just the standard of the Champions League.”
He added: “Two top teams fighting for every ball until the end. A draw is okay and on Saturday we have a top game at home. We have to be very good at home because we want to win the Premier League again.”
From rivals to midfield partners
Guimaraes and Rice built a reputation as combative opponents during their Premier League battles before the Brazilian's £75million move to Arsenal in the summer. That tension, Guimaraes revealed, has now turned into mutual respect and a growing on field partnership.
“When we were playing against each other, I was not nice to him, he was not nice to me,” Guimaraes said. “Now we are nice to each other and we are really helping each other on the pitch.”
He went further in praising Rice's versatility and influence since his arrival at the club. “He is so good. He is an unbelievable player and an unbelievable guy. He has been trying to help me a lot since my first day at the club,” Guimaraes said. “I think he can play, like me, as a No.6, No.8 or No.10, everywhere in the midfield. Today, I played more as a No.6, he played more as a No.8.”
Guimaraes also singled out Martin Odegaard's contribution, highlighting the assist for Eberechi Eze in Munich. “He is a top player. He is so good with the ball, the pass he made today for Eze was an unbelievable pass. So, I think we have been on a good run so far,” he said.
Buying into Arteta's mentality
Guimaraes credited Mikel Arteta, who was described as an integral driving force behind his summer move, for shaping the club's demanding standards. “I think now the mentality of the club has changed a lot. I think Arteta shows this perfectly,” he said, as quoted by football.london.
“Like I said, we don't accept a draw here. We always want to win. That is the mentality that we go to the training ground with every day. He is always a little bit addicted to videos and the way that he can make us feel better on the pitch. I think we have a top manager with a top mentality. We want to win everything possible.”
Arsenal now turn their attention to a home Premier League fixture on Saturday, with Guimaraes already eyeing the next test in a title defence he clearly believes the squad has the mentality to sustain.
