Arsenal have a big decision to make in the transfer window this summer, as they will aim to add a new midfielder to the starting XI.
Thomas Partey could leave after yet another year of injury frustration, and Arsenal are keen to sign a midfielder who can complement Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard in the best possible way.
With Rice thriving in an advanced role with either Partey or Jorginho behind him, the best course of action could be to sign a defensive midfielder who can also push forward, and Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad appeared to be the perfect fit.
However, with the Spain midfielder seemingly keen on remaining in La Liga, other options within the Premier League have emerged in Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle United, and his Brazil teammate Douglas Luiz of Aston Villa, and the two are remarkably similar.
Bruno Guimaraes key stats compared to Douglas Luiz as Arsenal ponder signing
Both midfielders had stellar seasons for their clubs, with Luiz helping Aston Villa finish in a Champions League spot, whilst Bruno was one of Newcastle’s best players alongside Alexander Isak.
Although both are defensively rugged midfielders capable of playing at the base, they also shone going forward. Bruno registered seven goals and eight assists in the league, whilst Luiz scored nine and provided five assists.
Four of Luiz’s goals came from penalties, and Bruno Guimaraes was also more consistent with his shooting, with 33.3% of his shots hitting the target compared to Luiz’s 29.5%.
If either player is to start behind Rice and Odegaard at the base of midfield, then their passing will be a lot more important than their goal output.
Both are remarkably similar in their passing stats, with Bruno edging the battle when it comes to the distance of progressing the ball, but Luiz completing more long balls per game.
Bruno takes the lead when it comes to shot-creating actions, with 3.94 per game compared to Luiz’s 3.51, but the biggest difference is their defensive output.
Bruno again leads when it comes to tackles, with 2.42 per 90 minutes compared to Luiz’s 1.74, but the fact that Newcastle are a more attacking side than Aston Villa, with 85 goals compared to their 76, has to be taken into account.
Bruno also edges out Luiz when it comes to dribbling, as he completes 55% of his attempted take-ons compared to the Villa star’s 51%. However, both rank significantly lower than Partey’s 69.2% from this season.
Are Bruno Guimaraes or Douglas Luiz worthwhile signings for Arsenal?
On a purely statistical level, neither player offers more on the ball than what Arsenal already have in Jorginho, Partey and Rice, but both would still be useful additions because of the overall package of physicality, experience and toughness they would bring to the base of midfield.
However, with Bruno set to cost £100m due to a release clause, whilst Luiz may be tough to pry away from Unai Emery, either player would represent a huge transfer outlay for Arsenal, without the almost-guaranteed quality that came in another big transfer in Declan Rice.
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Both represent a gamble, but if Arsenal are to splash out on a midfield deal with a big risk, they may be better off going for a younger option in Benfica and Portgual pass-master Joao Neves.