What shirt number will Bruno Guimarães wear for Arsenal?

Bruno Guimarães has officially joined Arsenal after his move from fellow Premier League side Newcastle was announced earlier today.

The Brazil international is the Gunners' fourth signing of the summer and as was the case for Illan Meslier and Christos Tzolis, he had to make the decision over what shirt number he will wear during his time in North London.

There is one set of digits that have been prominent throughout his career for personal reasons and he has opted to continue with that upon his move to Arsenal.

Bruno Guimarães to wear number 39 for Arsenal

As has been the case throughout his playing career, Guimarães will wear the number 39 shirt for Mikel Arteta's side, continuing a trend that has personal beginnings.

The Brazilian has donned those digits for every club he has played for at professional level and the reason behind it is down to his father and his time breaking through at Athletico Paranaense.

When asked about his unique number by the Arsenal media team, Guimarães said: "My father was a taxi driver in Brazil for more than 20 years. The taxi, of course, gave me everything for my family, the place we live, the food, my clothes, everything.

"So when I got the chance to sign to a top club in Brazil, I asked my father which number I should take and he said 39. I was upset a little bit because I wanted to take the 97. He said: ‘No, no, take the 39. The 39 gave you everything.’

"I remember when I was like 11, 12 years old, my father drove me no matter where, always with the number 39. When I got to Athletico Paranaense, I went to do the medical. When I got my clothes and I opened [the bag], the number 39 was in there and I was very scared. I went to the kit man, and I said: ‘Why the 39?’

"He said: ‘Well, if you don’t want it, you can change it.’ I said: ‘No, no, no, it’s exactly what I want.’ At that moment, I called my father, and when I told him the story, he started to cry. He said: ‘I told you, this number is going to give you luck.’

"Since then, I’ve always been the 39. It means everything to me. I have the tattoo of the 39 as well."

Guimarães is the Gunners' third arrival under Arteta to choose a unique shirt number. Declan Rice picked 41 upon his move from West Ham in 2023 while Martín Zubimendi opted to take 36 when he joined from Real Sociedad last summer. Academy graduates Myles Lewis-Skelly and Max Dowman also wear 49 and 56, respectively.

As fans always look to represent their club's latest signing, it's nice to know what number they will be wearing for their new side. However, the priority for Guimarães now will be to give his all for Arsenal, and that will be done while donning his traditional 39.

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