Bruno Guimarães has explained his decision to leave Newcastle United for Arsenal during the summer transfer window, revealing that he believed the time had come to pursue a new challenge after spending nearly five years at St James’ Park.

The Brazilian midfielder’s departure in August was a significant blow to Newcastle supporters, especially after he played a leading role in the club’s historic Carabao Cup triumph. Under his captaincy, Newcastle secured their first major trophy in 70 years, strengthening his connection with the team and its supporters.

Guimarães had repeatedly spoken about his affection for Newcastle, making his decision to join Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal difficult for many fans to accept. However, the 28-year-old has now offered insight into the emotions and considerations behind his move to north London.

Reflecting on his farewell to his former teammates, the midfielder revealed how difficult it was to leave a club where he had developed close personal relationships.

“I remember, when I said bye to the lads, I was crying. They were crying as well, because we were a family there,” Guimarães told The Sun.

He acknowledged that leaving Newcastle was far from straightforward, given the strong bond he had established with the club and its supporters. His time in the northeast had brought important achievements and memorable experiences, making the decision particularly challenging for both him and his family.

“To be fair, it was very tough for me to make this decision because I really enjoyed my time at the club,” he explained.

Despite the emotional difficulty, Guimarães felt that a change of environment was necessary to continue progressing professionally. Having spent almost five years with Newcastle, he wanted to experience a different footballing project and test himself in a new setting.

“I was at the club for nearly five years and in my mind I needed a new challenge,” he added.

The midfielder has made a promising start to life at Arsenal, registering two goals in 10 appearances. One of those strikes proved decisive against Leeds United earlier this month, offering an early indication of the contribution he could make to Arteta’s squad.

Guimarães also featured alongside Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard during Arsenal’s 2-2 Champions League draw with Bayern Munich, underlining his involvement in the manager’s midfield plans.

Looking back on his Newcastle career, the Brazilian expressed appreciation for what the club achieved during his time there. Newcastle qualified for the Champions League twice and reached two domestic cup finals, alongside their memorable Carabao Cup success.

Although his departure marked the end of an important chapter, Guimarães remains grateful for his Newcastle experience. He is now focused on establishing himself at Arsenal and helping the London club compete for major honours, believing that the move offers the fresh challenge he wanted at this stage of his career.