In Bremen, where the Weser has carried the club through uneven seasons since its return to the Bundesliga, Arthur has found the continuity he wanted. The 23-year-old Brazilian right-back, on loan from Bayer Leverkusen, has started the campaign in Werder’s side after putting a difficult run of muscle injuries behind him, and sees regular football as a route towards another chance with Brazil.
Arthur said the prospect of sustained minutes was central to his decision to remain in Germany but move north from Leverkusen. His opening three appearances have brought two wins and a draw away from home, a sequence that has helped Werder make their strongest Bundesliga start since promotion in 2022/23.
“Here in Bremen I have the chance to build a run of games,” he said. “That was one of the reasons I came: I wanted more time on the pitch and to establish myself in European football. Starting with three positive matches has been very good for my career, for the club’s collective aims and for my own targets. Returning to the national team is one of them, and playing regularly could open that door.”
The defender has already been part of Brazil’s recent international transition. Ramon Menezes selected him among 10 newcomers for the friendly against Morocco in March 2023, shortly after the World Cup in Qatar. A return to that environment remains a long-term ambition.
His path in Germany has required patience. Arthur suffered a small fracture in his left ankle in February, near the end of last season, following earlier muscular problems. He said the absences reshaped his approach to recovery and body care, while reinforcing the resilience required to perform at Bundesliga level.
“Injuries are beyond our control, but I try to take the best possible response from them and return as quickly as I can,” Arthur explained. “With the latest one, the doctors expected roughly 12 weeks, but I was playing again after six. It reflects the work I put in. A player has to be resilient in those moments.”
A Brazilian settling into Germany
Arthur’s rise began in the youth systems of Cruzeiro and Flamengo before his performances for América-MG between 2022 and 2023 brought national attention. His transfer to Bayer Leverkusen made him the biggest sale in the history of the Minas Gerais club.
Before leaving Brazil at the age of 20, he began online German lessons in anticipation of the move. He regards the language as an important part of both professional and personal adaptation, allowing him to settle more quickly in a country and culture far removed from home.
Leverkusen also provided daily teaching support once he arrived, alongside the everyday conversations within the squad. Arthur said he made full use of that assistance from his first days in the country, helping him handle life away from the pitch as well as communication inside the dressing room.
Werder’s unbeaten start has naturally lifted the mood around the club, but Arthur has stressed that early results cannot define an entire campaign. He pointed to experienced figures in the squad for keeping expectations measured, particularly in a Bundesliga he described as a competition of frequent goals and late twists.
“It is impossible not to be pleased, but we have senior players who help keep everyone under control,” he said. “We cannot believe that three matches mean the season is already a success. There are many goals in this league and games can turn in the final minutes, so we must remain focused.”
The next test comes under the lights at Signal Iduna Park, where Werder visit an unbeaten Borussia Dortmund on Friday the 9th in the fifth round of the Bundesliga. For Arthur, it is another opportunity to turn a promising beginning in Bremen into the sustained European foothold he has been seeking.
