From Sport.
Introduce yourself to Barcelona.
Arthur: "I'm playing at Grêmio. I've played as a double pivot; I like to be creative. Sometimes they ask me what position I prefer, but I say there's no definite position, it all depends on how the team plays. Barça's coach decides where I play."
You can occupy the position of Busquets, Rakitić, or Iniesta.
Arthur: "I am available to play wherever they want, I just want to help my teammates. The first thing is to think what you can do to bring the best out of the group and occupy their needs."
They say you play with a more European style instead of Brazilian.
Arthur: "I think it's a compliment. They've been telling me that and I took it as a positive, because they have good qualities. They say I think a lot about the game; I love to dictate the game."
Arthur: "I am very happy with the compliments I receive and I hope to evolve every day."
What can you say about Xavi.
Arthur: "Xavi is another great player. I know that I have a long way to go, but being so young and being compared with the greats gives me so much motivation to keep growing."
Do you like giving passes or scoring?
Arthur: "Many ask me about this (laughs). It's obvious that whenever I have an opportunity to score, I will take it, but if I get an assist, I am also very happy."
You're only 21. How are you so mature?
Arthur: "It's a virtue that I have. I always show humility and lower myself down to listen to what people have to say to me. Grêmio's squad is very good and they have helped me a lot."
Does being mature have to do something with joining Grêmio at 14?
Arthur: "Yes, it helped. When you live alone, away from family, you end up maturing early. You have your own responsibilities, because nobody will do anything for you."
You were the MVP of the Libertadores final and you scored against Internacional. Do you turn up in big games?
Arthur: "In the two big games I've had, the result was great. I am very satisfied with my personal performances in those games, since Grêmio came out victorious."
Playing in Barça's midfield is for real specialists...
Arthur: "I might be wrong, but what makes Barça strong is being able to control the game. I love doing that. There are great midfielders there with serious quality. I hope to be at Barça as soon as possible so I can help."
What can you do to improve?
Arthur: "I'm young. There are areas where I can do better. They praise my passing a lot, but every day, when training ends, I dedicate myself to become an even better passer. I haven't reached perfection; that's why you work hard."
How's Valverde's Barça?
Arthur: "For me, it's a different kind of Barça that we've always seen. They are a very skilled team. They can suffer, but they cope with it. They also love to exploit their strength of having possession."
Arthur: "There are players like Messi, Coutinho, Suárez, and Dembélé that can change the game at any time. For the team they have, that's a reason why I chose to go to Barça."
How's your family?
Arthur: "I love them a lot. They are always there for me and I wouldn't be where I am today, if it wasn't for them."
Is your family going with you to Barcelona?
Arthur: "I asked them and they said yes! My father, my mother, and my brother all live here, but they will move to Barcelona with me."
Explain the Barça jersey situation.
Arthur: "I was not doing it as bad faith, we were just getting to know each other. They liked the games I played in the Libertadores. I contacted Grêmio and they said nothing was agreed."
Who has the shirt now?
Arthur: "My father took it from me and told me, 'The first Barça jersey is mine.' I think it was the right thing to do because he's the person who's always been there for me, he accompanied me."
Arthur: "My father was the one who took me to football training, who introduced me to football, that's why I have it to him."
Arthur: "This is a dream come true. I've always loved Barça's style; I've been following them for a very long time. I love watching Barça on T.V. and now being able to play with them is going to be something incredible. It will be very rewarding."
So, why do you like Iniesta so much?
Arthur: "I've always said that I admire Iniesta so much. Even before Barça were interested in me, I've followed his matches and his way of playing football always impresses me, since he's always able to control the game."
Arthur: "Iniesta is an amazing footballer and he has the whole game in his head. He's the one who controls the game, next to other incredible footballers. He plays with extreme ease and he's my example that I want to follow."
Arthur: "I thought the deal would take some time to complete. I spoke with Grêmio and they confirmed everything was closed. I was in extreme joy. I wasn't able to be with my family since I was preparing for a game, but I called them and celebrated over the phone."
Arthur: "My coach congratulated me for coming to an agreement with Barça, the best club in the world, with the best players in the world, where everyone dreams of playing. Grêmio is a family, we all get along. It was a party when I told them."
Arthur: "Coutinho told me the city is beautiful and the training complex is amazing. He explained that the Camp Nou is one of the world's best stadiums and it's something that every player dreams of having in their career."
Arthur: "Neymar texted me and congratulated me. He spoke highly of the city and told me there are extremely talented players there and they helped him adapt when he got there. I think I'm going to experience the same thing."
The transfer fee is worth €30m.
Arthur: "I was talking about this with my brother. How can someone be worth that much? We all know that big players are worth so much money today."
Arthur: "I have the confidence from Barcelona and now I will do everything in my power to give my all each and every game."
Credit goes to
https://twitter.com/barcacentre
