Arsenal's lure but Guimaraes will leave with respect

[Getty Images] The decision to leave Newcastle for Arsenal wasn't an easy one for Bruno Guimaraes. The Brazil international is the captain of the Magpies; his emotional attachment to the club runs deep. He understands what it means to play for Newcastle - not just for him but for the club's supporters. There will be some fans who will question all that after Guimaraes made clear he wanted to join Arsenal earlier this summer. Yet they shouldn't forget Guimaraes joined Newcastle when the club were fighting relegation, when joining wasn't necessarily as big a sell as it is today. He helped the club exceed those early expectations of simply staying in the Premier League by becoming an integral member of a team under Eddie Howe that won the club's first trophy in 70 years and qualified for the Champions League. To that end, even when he'd decided he wanted to leave for London, the 28-year-old continued to do right by Newcastle when others before him have not been quite so respectful in their efforts to leave St James' Park. No doubt, that will be a factor why Newcastle have relented in their ambitions to keep Guimaraes. They recognise, too, his efforts, his commitment over the years and, most recently, the respect he has shown despite his desire to leave. Ultimately, the lure of Arsenal was too much for Guimaraes to resist. His ambitions to compete for the biggest trophies was a key factor for Guimaraes. Arsenal will be among the favourites to win the Premier League and Champions League next season. He is also enamoured by the prospect of playing next to Declan Rice in central midfielder - a partnership that has the potential to be one of the very best in European football. For Guimaraes, this wasn't a move motivated by money. And as he leaves Newcastle, he does so through the front door.