It’s fair to say that Arsenal’s summer business didn’t please everyone.

Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard were both sold, and with Christos Tzolis now injured, plenty of fans have questioned whether enough was done to strengthen the attack.

Elsewhere in the squad, though, the window did a lot more to strengthen the depth. Illan Meslier arrived on a free from Leeds and Piero Hincapie’s loan was made permanent, but unsurprisingly, it was the other two new arrivals who have impressed former Premier League boss Steve Bruce.

Steve Bruce singles out Ezri Konsa and Bruno Guimaraes

Speaking on Stick to United, Bruce said winning the first title was the hardest part, and that the question now is whether Arsenal can retain it. “Certainly, they look a very, very, very good team at the minute and they’re all buying in,” the former Manchester United defender said.

“And the two outstanding signings for me, Konsa, when they’ve got an injury at defence, they’re going to buy an England centre-back and the boy from Newcastle as well who’s been a really, really good player who’s not in the team at the minute.”

It’s hard to argue with Bruce on Ezri Konsa. Since joining in a deal worth up to £55million, the former Aston Villa centre-back has slotted in seamlessly in the absence of William Saliba. He has quickly formed a superb partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes, with Oliver Glasner even calling them “possibly the best centre-back pairing in the world at the moment,” after Sunday’s win at Forest.

The episode was likely recorded before the weekend, because Bruno Guimaraes started at the City Ground alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard in the middle of the park. Before that, the £75million midfielder had mostly made his mark from the bench, coming on to score the winner against both Sunderland and Leeds.

He was arguably Arsenal’s best player against Lille too, and Mikel Arteta may have unlocked a new side to his game since he arrived in north London.

Both are likely to be key again in Munich on Wednesday. Bayern will be the toughest test Konsa and Gabriel have faced as a partnership, while Bruno will be hoping his display at Forest has done enough to keep his place in midfield.