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Bruno Guimarães news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
The Premier League's KMI panel ruled Arsenal should have had a penalty for Ian Maatsen's 98th-minute challenge on Bruno Guimaraes at Villa Park.
The £75m summer signing is still being eased in.
Background
Bruno Guimaraes joined Arsenal from Newcastle United for £75m this summer, and Arsenal also signed Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa for £51m. Arsenal have maximum points from their opening three games. The panel review concerns a tackle by Maatsen on Guimaraes in the eighth minute of added time at Villa Park, which referee Jarred Gillett waved away and VAR did not send for an on-field review.
How it unfolded
- Sep 6, 2026Arsenal beat Chelsea at the Emirates, coming from behind with Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard scoring; Bruno Guimaraes was an unused substitute as Mikel Arteta chose not to take risks with his new £75m midfielder.
- Sep 9, 2026The Premier League's five-person Key Match Incidents Panel ruled unanimously that referee Jarred Gillett should have awarded Arsenal a penalty for Ian Maatsen's challenge on Guimaraes in the 98th minute at Villa Park, and that VAR James Bell should have advised a second yellow card for Maatsen.
- Sep 9, 2026Sky Sports reported on the Maatsen tackle on Guimaraes that VAR missed.
- Sep 10, 2026Football London reported Mikel Arteta was warned the signings of Ezri Konsa and Bruno Guimaraes might not be enough for Arsenal to retain the Premier League title.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- The Premier League KMI panel said a penalty should have been awarded on-field for Maatsen's reckless challenge on Guimaraes, with clear contact on the attacker's standing leg and no contact with the ball, and that VAR should have intervened as the non-award was a clear and obvious error warranting a second caution.
- Caution
- Former Gunner Alan Smith said Arsenal's lack of firepower compared to Manchester City could cost them in the title race.