Newcastle fans praise Kieran Trippier for 'proper captain response' to Bruno Guimaraes joining Arsenal

Kieran Trippier has spoken out following Bruno Guimaraes' transfer to Arsenal and his comments have caused quite a stir online.

In what is just the latest high-profile exit this summer, Newcastle United captain Guimaraes has left the club to join Arsenal in £75million deal.

The Brazil international has been strongly linked with the Premier League champions throughout the summer, despite Newcastle insisting he wasn't for sale.

Guimaraes follows Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali, Kieran Trippier and even long-serving manager Eddie Howe as key figures to leave St James' Park ahead of the season starting.

His move has been met with a mixed reception from fans due to his monumental importance to the club having led them to their first major trophy since 1969 and brining them back into the Champions League.

During one debate on social media, one fan argued that Guimaraes contribution during his four-and-a-half years at St James’ Park was enough to warrant him wanting to move on and join a club competing for the biggest trophies in club football.

On the other hand, one argued that, following the uncertainty and turmoil around the club this summer, the Newcastle captain has left the club when they needed him most.

To back up this argument the fan claimed that Trippier, an equally important player in Newcastle's recent history, had also wanted to leave the club in recent years but stayed and didn't hire a 'super agent' to help him leave the club.

What the fan didn't expect, was that Trippier himself would respond to the comment, completely shattering his claim and stating that he didn't actively want to leave the club.

"Didn’t want out," Tripper replied with a laughing emoji.

Adding: "But didn’t & couldn’t get a super agent."

Reacting to the comment from Trippier, one fan on X wrote: "Trippier is actually the main character of the entire project in reality. What a player."

A second said: "The real NUFC captain over the last 4 years. Will be hugely missed absolute legend."

A third added: "You [Trippier] were always the real captain and the single most important signing the club made since PIF came in. No playing to the cameras, no unnecessary badge kissing, just a top pro demanding high standards. You’ll make a great head coach some day and i hope you return in that capacity."

Trippier left Newcastle United at the end of the 2025/26 season following the expiration of his contract, joining the newly-relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers as a free agent, penning a two-year deal with the option to extend for a further year.

The move will allow Trippier, who fell out of favour at Newcastle in his final season, to once again get regular first-team minutes with a club that is among the favourites to be promoted back to the Premier League come the end of the 2026/27 season.

READ MORE: Newcastle release incredibly blunt and ruthless statement confirming Bruno Guimaraes' transfer to Arsenal

Bruno Guimaraes explains real reason for unique shirt number

Throughout his spell at Newcastle United, Guimaraes wore the number 39 on the back of his shirt, as he did at both Atletico Paranaense and Lyon.

Luckily for the Brazilian, the number was vacant at the Emirates Stadium after the incumbent, Harrison Dudziak, was released by the club at the end of June.

In a heartwarming story, Guimaraes exactly why he has always stuck by the unique number and why he will continue to wear it at Arsenal.

“My father was a taxi driver in Brazil for more than 20 years,” he explained in an interview with Arsenal.

“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.”