'Arsenal have just signed a player who will destroy opponents alongside Martin Odegaard'

Arsenal have pulled off a great signing in Bruno Guimaraes in a deal that has left Newcastle United rudderless.

That is the opinion of experienced former Tottenham, Everton and Aston Villa scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.

The Magpies have lost their manager, Eddie Howe, and several key players, including club captain Bruno Guimaraes.

The Brazilian completed a £75million move to Arsenal last week, with the progression of his departure coinciding with Howe's decision to step down.

Matthias Jaissle has since been appointed and is keen to strengthen his squad before the season starts, with new arrivals vital in midfield, especially.

Newcastle have been linked with countless names, but appear to have missed out on top targets Joao Palhinha and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

Newcastle reeling from loss of their 'best player'

Last summer was damaging at Newcastle. The saga surrounding Alexander Isak and his eventual departure left St James' Park in serious turmoil.

But somehow, this summer has been even worse. The Magpies have lost out on several top transfer targets and have had their midfield completely sliced open.

Howe's departure was not expected and it has only added to what is rapidly becoming a project in danger of complete collapse.

Club captain Guimaraes' exit has been just as damaging a loss, and he will not be easy to replace.

"I think you'd need two players to replace Guimaraes, because he's a good player. I liked him. I like him," King told Football Insider.

"I think it's a good move for him to go to Arsenal. I can see him being the foil to win the ball and probably give it to [Martin] Odegaard. He's a player that makes these strong forward runs and ends up scoring a goal or whatever.

"I've thought ever since he's been at Newcastle, he's been their best player. And I think he got wind that Eddie Howe was going and to be fair, if the champions want you. London isn't a bad place to live, is it?"

"But there again," he added. "Who's running the club? Is it the football manager or the coach? Or is it the people upstairs? Because there's been two major decisions, hasn't there? You lose your manager and you lose your best player."

What has Matthias Jaissle said about the job at Newcastle?

Jaissle has made no illusion about the job he is facing as Newcastle manager. Howe was the leader of the project and has overseen it since it began in 2021.

But it must now go in a different and new direction, and the German will hope to be the right man to guide it.

"This is now a vacuum as you call it," he said this week. "They were great characters, great players, ­experienced players. Obviously we are in that transition phase. My job is to make the best out of it all.

"I am quite optimistic. We are ambitious, that’s the most important thing and why I decided to come here. But it will not happen overnight. I’m pretty sure it will be a successful story. But we need time now.”