"Arsenal's New £75m Midfield Star Bruno Guimaraes Poses a Threat to Rivals as Man City Struggles"

MARTIN ODEGAARD can remember the days when he had “big fights” with Bruno Guimaraes.

But now the pair have been , they look like a match made in heaven.

It is early days, yet the way Guimaraes and Odegaard combined on Sunday to boss was ominous for the rest of the Premier League.

The duo ran the show in Cardiff and ensured the reigning champions as they lifted the .

All that came after just over a week training together, so it is no surprise that Odegaard is excited for what lies ahead.

The captain said: “The connection is already there – and you can see that.

“It has been so natural. Since the first day he came in, it has been such a natural thing.

“Although we had some big fights with him in the past, he has just come into the side as a real natural part of the team.

“From the first second he is in training, you can feel that presence and quality. It has been really easy to connect with him. He is a brilliant player and I am looking forward to it.”

On the evidence of Sunday, the signing of Guimaraes from Newcastle for £75million this summer could be huge for Odegaard.

The Norwegian was given the freedom to float in a No10 role against City, and .

He completed more dribbles and passes than any other Arsenal player, while also winning possession the most times, too.

Odegaard was able to do that as he had the pairing of Guimaraes and behind him.

For much of last season, played with just one player in front of the defence – which was usually Martin Zubimendi.

That forced Odegaard to drop deeper because the Gunners skipper wanted to help his side play out from the back.

Guimaraes’ arrival means that is no longer necessary and it was also telling how much he drifted to the right side to get involved in the play.

That flank has always been Arsenal’s biggest weapon, thanks to and Odegaard, but adding Guimaraes into the mix could take it to another level.

The Brazilian came off after just 45 minutes in Cardiff, but there were already clear signs of a chemistry and understanding – and that is only going to grow.

Odegaard said: “You can see his quality. He can win the ball, he’s a fighter.

“But he also has so much quality on the ball. He is so calm on the ball. He always takes the right amount of time and he finds the pass.”

The cohesion of Arsenal’s midfield was in stark contrast to the shambles of City’s.

So often, the shoe has been on the other foot and Gunners fans will remember the painful final defeat in March.

City dominated that day at Wembley – but that was thanks to and .

Without those two stars, they looked rudderless in the middle of the park and it is a big headache for new boss .

Fitness and pre-season rust undoubtedly played a part – especially in the case of summer signing – but the need for reinforcements is clear.

Bringing in star Ayyoub Bouaddi and midfielder Enzo Fernandez would steady a ship that is rocking before the season has truly got underway.

Arsenal, on the other hand, seem incredibly settled and the biggest challenge for Arteta will be deciding what his best midfield is.

His substitutes in that area on Sunday involved bringing on £224m of talent in , and Martin Zubimendi.

It is an embarrassment of riches and a lovely problem to have.

But from the little we have seen so far, Guimaraes and Odegaard’s clear connection means they have to be part of Arsenal’s best midfield.