Guimarães has revealed that a direct conversation with Arteta about Arsenal's ambitions to "create a dynasty" played a decisive role in persuading him to leave Newcastle United this summer, in a £75m deal that made him the most expensive midfielder ever signed at his age.
The Brazil international has signed a contract running until the summer of 2030 and has already been given licence to play across multiple positions in Arteta's midfield. Speaking to Men In Blazers, Guimarães explained how the conversations with his new manager shaped his decision.
"Ever since the first time I spoke to him [Arteta], he has wanted to create a dynasty here and tries to win everything as much as possible, and I am always very excited about his idea," he said.
Arteta was also clear that Guimarães would be given considerable freedom in how he is used.
"He told me I can play everywhere, and I said yes, it simply depends on you and where you want me to play. I am ready to play for Arsenal, wherever that is," Guimarães said.
The 28-year-old was unequivocal about the scale of Arsenal's ambitions this season, framing the club's targets in the broadest possible terms rather than settling on a single priority.
"I don't have a single goal — we are going for everything. I think the potential we have in this team is incredible," he said, before adding: "I don't want to set goals, we have to think again and see how far we can go, but with this team I have a great chance to win titles."
The move ends a four-and-a-half-year spell at Newcastle that began with a switch from Lyon in January 2022 and saw Guimarães become club captain, making 195 appearances and scoring 31 goals along the way. His departure follows the earlier exits of Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon from St James' Park this year, continuing a significant turnover of Newcastle's most influential players in a short space of time.
For Arsenal, meanwhile, the signing further strengthens a midfield already built around the reigning Premier League champions' pursuit of sustained success under Arteta.