Arsenal supporters will have extra reason to pay attention when Brazil face Norway in the Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup. While the spotlight will inevitably fall on superstar forwards Vinicius Jr and Erling Haaland ahead of Sunday’s clash, another fascinating subplot lies in the midfield duel between Bruno Guimaraes and Martin Odegaard — one current Gunner and one possible future recruit.

Both playmakers have been among the tournament’s standout creative forces, and their individual battle in New Jersey could prove decisive in what appears to be a finely balanced encounter, despite Brazil’s rich World Cup heritage.

While the Golden Boot race continues to dominate headlines, the competition for most assists has been equally captivating. Bruno has registered four assists, while Odegaard has three, placing both among the top five creators so far. France’s Michael Olise currently leads the chart with five.

The Brazil–Norway tie unfolds amid Arsenal’s strong interest in the £65 million ($87m) Newcastle United star. Guimaraes is reinforcing his reputation in North America as a midfielder capable of elevating Arsenal’s engine room alongside Odegaard.

Silencing his critics

Odegaard faced some scepticism last season, with pundits and even sections of Arsenal’s fanbase suggesting he should be dropped or sold — a remarkable stance given he became the club’s first title-winning captain in 22 years. Critics argued that as a No.10, he often played too safely and failed to impose himself on matches. Despite battling minor injuries, he still managed a respectable seven assists in 24 Premier League appearances.

In Qatar, however, Odegaard has reminded everyone of his class. Free from the pressure of chasing a domestic title, the Norwegian has played with fluidity and confidence across three impressive outings, doing enough to silence his detractors and reaffirm his value to Arsenal’s future plans.

Creator-in-chief

Norway’s skipper has delivered three assists in as many appearances in North America — setting up Leo Ostigard’s header against Iraq, threading a perfect pass to Haaland versus Senegal, and finding Antonio Nusa before his stunning strike against Ivory Coast. According to Opta, he is the third men’s player to provide an assist in each of his first three World Cup matches since 1966, and the first to do so in consecutive games since Dirk Kuyt in 2010. Against Ivory Coast, he had 90 touches and played 18 forward passes — more than any other player on the pitch.

This creativity is nothing new for the 27-year-old. Despite missing three of Norway’s eight qualifiers due to injury, he still recorded seven assists — including a hat-trick against Israel — more than any European player in the campaign.

Unsung hero

Bruno Guimaraes has been equally outstanding for Brazil. Though not as flamboyant as some of his illustrious predecessors, the Newcastle captain has arguably been the Selecao’s most influential performer at this World Cup. He has out-assisted Odegaard by one, setting up Vinicius Jr for the equaliser against Morocco, providing another for the winger against Scotland, assisting Matheus Cunha after a dazzling run, and calmly finding Gabriel Martinelli for Brazil’s dramatic 96th-minute winner against Japan in the last 32.

That tally makes Guimaraes only the fourth player to record four assists in a single World Cup this century, joining Michael Ballack (2002), Francesco Totti (2006) and Juan Cuadrado (2014) — later matched by France’s Olise. He also ranks third among midfielders for chances created (nine) and has run a total of 44.4km — roughly a marathon — across four matches.

‘Most important player’

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has been vocal about Guimaraes’ significance to his team. “Bruno is a very important player, very consistent in the game, always making a very good contribution defensively and offensively,” said Ancelotti after the win over Japan. “He provided a fantastic assist, and I’m very happy because Bruno has a very big heart.”

His former Newcastle teammate Emil Krafth echoed that sentiment, telling the BBC, “He’s the most important player in the team. He manages the game so well, both physically and technically. I hope Newcastle can keep him, but it’s no surprise there are rumours — he’s had a fantastic World Cup and an excellent season.”

Shrewd move

Whether Newcastle can retain their captain is now a pressing issue. Arsenal reportedly had an informal £55m ($73m) proposal rejected in June, with the Magpies insisting their skipper is not for sale. Yet, speculation persists that Guimaraes may be tempted by the move. His close ties with Arsenal compatriots Gabriel Magalhaes and Martinelli, both on Brazil duty, could influence matters, and Newcastle’s failure to qualify for European football after finishing 12th in the Premier League adds to Arsenal’s advantage.

Reports suggest Arsenal believe an improved £65m ($87m) bid might secure the 28-year-old, whose contract expires in two years. The deal would be considered excellent business, especially as Tottenham prepare a £100m ($133m) outlay on Sandro Tonali — a player of lesser calibre. However, with Newcastle raising significant funds through Tonali’s sale and Anthony Gordon’s £69m ($93m) move to Barcelona, they may not be under financial pressure to sell.

Mouth-watering prospect

For Arsenal fans, the Brazil–Norway matchup offers a glimpse of a potential future midfield trio. With Guimaraes alongside Declan Rice and Odegaard, the Gunners could field one of Europe’s most balanced and dynamic units. Rice would anchor the midfield with his defensive intelligence, Guimaraes would add energy and creativity as a No.8, and Odegaard would enjoy the freedom to orchestrate attacks further forward.

Some might assume the Brazilian’s arrival could threaten Odegaard’s position, but their World Cup form suggests otherwise. Both are demonstrating that they can coexist and thrive, offering manager Mikel Arteta the foundation for a new era of sustained domestic dominance at the Emirates.