The One Sacred Jersey Number Bruno Guimaraes Refuses to Abandon at Arsenal

When soccer players arrive at a new club, the question of which jersey number to wear often sparks considerable discussion. Shirt numbers carry symbolic weight depending on position — the starting striker claims the No. 9, the creative playmaker inherits the 10, and the starting goalkeeper is, quite literally, number one.

For Bruno Guimarães, however, it has always been about No. 39.

"The number tells a story more beautiful than words can say," the Brazilian midfielder, who is moving from Newcastle United to Arsenal, told The Players' Tribune in 2023. "I know people think it's a weird number for a footballer. But for me 39 is special—no, it's more than that. It's magical. The No. 39 gave me everything in life. ... It fed me, clothed me and paid for three-hour bus rides to pursue my dream."

As Guimarães explained, #039 was the dispatch number assigned to his father's taxi in Rio de Janeiro.

Guimarães grew up deeply admiring his father and his remarkable work ethic, navigating the streets of Brazil's second-largest city from early morning until late at night. The one moment of the week that gave Guimarães Sr. any relief was watching his slender son dart across Rio's dusty pitches every Saturday.

His path through Brazilian youth soccer was far from smooth — at one stage, Guimarães was so doubtful about his prospects that he obtained his driver's license, preparing himself for a potential career behind the wheel of a taxi.

Everything changed when he secured a loan move to Athletico Paranaense in 2017. His father called and offered a suggestion for his squad number. "What about 39? That is more than a number. 039 gave us everything we have, Bruno. Our house, our food, our furniture, your football boots. It was all because of our taxi."

Guimarães could hardly refuse that request — yet he had already been allocated a number upon his arrival at Athletico. In a remarkable twist of fate, he had been randomly given the No. 39. Both he and his father were moved to tears.

Since that moment, the tireless midfielder has worn those emotionally charged digits at Lyon and Newcastle, even going so far as to have them tattooed on his right calf. Fortunately, no current Arsenal player holds the shirt number, though they might well have been convinced to hand it over regardless.

History of No. 39 at Arsenal

Guimarães will undoubtedly be the most prominent Arsenal player to select No. 39, but he won't be the first recognizable name to don those digits.

Francis Coquelin made his Premier League debut wearing No. 39 — and what a debut it was. Arsène Wenger's ill-prepared side were thrashed 8–2 by reigning champions Manchester United in the third week of the 2011–12 season — a defeat that, ironically, prompted the Gunners to sign future manager Mikel Arteta. After such a bruising introduction, it's hardly surprising that Coquelin ditched the number at the earliest opportunity.

Former fan favorite Héctor Bellerín climbed the numerical ladder at the club, wearing 39 as part of a journey from No. 40 all the way down to No. 2 across his 11 seasons at Arsenal.

Academy midfielder Harrison Dudziak was technically listed with No. 39 during his sole appearance in a senior matchday squad last season. The 20-year-old was released over the summer, clearing the path for Guimarães to claim his cherished number.

Data via Transfermarkt.