Viktor Gyokeres could be sold by Arsenal in January, but only if Mikel Arteta's side bring in a replacement first. That's the prediction from Arsenal legend Alan Smith, who believes the Swedish striker has slipped too far down the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium to stay content on the sidelines.

Gyokeres joined Arsenal from Sporting CP in a £63.5m deal last summer and scored 21 goals in all competitions during his debut campaign. This season has told a very different story, with the striker restricted to just three Premier League appearances, both from the bench, as Kai Havertz has established himself as Arteta's first-choice centre-forward.

Arsenal also explored a move for Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez during the summer transfer window as part of their search for attacking reinforcements, a sign that the club have already been weighing up their options up front.

Smith expects exit if replacement arrives

Speaking via BestBettingSites, Smith suggested that Gyokeres would not only be sold if Arsenal brought in another forward, but that he would likely welcome the move himself. “If they did get another top striker, I think he would be sold, and he'd probably want to go, because he'd then be dropped one more place down the pecking order,” Smith said. “So yeah, I think he would be sold, and there'd be plenty of clubs that would want him, I think.”

Smith did caution that finding a suitable replacement in the middle of the season would not be straightforward. “Whether Arsenal can get somebody in January, maybe a long shot. They'll probably be working on it now, but it's not easy, as we know, in January,” he added.

Premier League and Champions League on equal footing

Smith was also asked whether Arteta should prioritise the Champions League over the Premier League this season, having seen Arsenal end a 22-year wait for the title last term before losing the Champions League final to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties. “No, I don't think you can prioritise one over the other,” he said. “You don't want to be a one-season wonder, win the title and then you don't win it again for a few years. You want to have that consistency.”

He added that Arsenal's squad depth means both competitions can be targeted seriously. “So certainly you can put them both on the same level, because they've got such a strong squad, Arsenal,” Smith said, pointing to the run to last season's final as evidence it can be done.

Smith also touched on Manchester City being found guilty of all charges in their Premier League financial rules case during the international break, with City now appealing the verdict. “I think that Arsenal and all these teams will feel aggrieved,” he said, pointing to clubs who have “stayed within the rules” despite losing out on titles to City.

Gyokeres' situation looks set to remain a talking point between now and January, with his future likely to hinge on whether Arsenal move into the market for a new forward this winter.

Piero Hincapie needed to be carried off the pitch after Arsenal's 2-1 win over Leeds United, with the defender clutching his right ankle during the post-match warm-down.

Hincapie came on as a substitute during the victory at the Emirates but appeared to pick up the issue once the game had finished. Back-up goalkeeper Illan Meslier was the man who helped carry him from the field, according to the Mirror.

It caps a frustrating few weeks for the Ecuadorian. Hincapie missed the Carabao Cup tie against Ipswich Town last month with muscular problems, and he was then left out of Ecuador's squad for the international break so Arsenal could continue managing his fitness. His appearance off the bench against Leeds was just his fourth for the club this season, and only his second involvement since starting against Napoli. In total, he has missed 16 matches for club and country since the start of last season.

A hard-fought win for Arteta's side

On the pitch, Arsenal had to dig in to see off Daniel Farke's Leeds side. James Justin put the visitors ahead before Riccardo Calafiori levelled things up with a well-worked goal. Bruno Guimaraes then struck what proved to be the winner in the 70th minute, sending the Emirates home happy after a difficult run heading into the fixture.

The result followed a defeat to Brighton before the international break, a performance Mikel Arteta was keen to put right. Speaking after the game, he reflected on the response from his players.

“It's every time we put that shirt on,” Arteta said. “The last time that we put our shirt on, something was missing, and we need to be very conscious of that. From being exceptional and being the champions to being extremely average, like in that game, it's a really thin line. So if you don't want it more than the opponent, you are not able to cope emotionally with certain situations, you're going to suffer.”

He added: “We all suffered and we didn't enjoy one bit that game. But then you have to learn the lesson, and we certainly did that. We spoke about it and you could sense that it was something in their tummies.”

What's next for Hincapie

Arsenal will now wait to discover whether the ankle issue is significant enough to keep Hincapie sidelined again. Given his history of fitness problems since arriving at the club, any extended period out would represent another setback in his bid to establish himself as a regular option in Arteta's backline. Further assessment from the club's medical staff is expected to clarify the extent of the problem in the coming days.

Mikel Arteta says Noni Madueke left him with no choice but to start him, as the winger's impressive training form over the international break earned him the nod ahead of Eberechi Eze in Arsenal's 2-1 comeback win over Leeds.

Arsenal fell behind to James Justin's opener before goals from Riccardo Calafiori and Bruno Guimaraes turned the match around at home. Madueke, deployed on the left wing in place of the injured Christos Tzolis, was at the heart of the turnaround. His curling cross set up the equaliser, and no Arsenal player created more chances or had more touches in the opposition box than the winger on the day.

A change of plan over the break

Arteta has generally been reluctant to use Madueke on the left flank over the past 12 months, preferring him on the right. But that thinking shifted during the international break, when Madueke was not called up by England and instead stayed behind to train with Arteta and the rest of the group left at London Colney.

According to the Evening Standard, that spell of extra work proved decisive. Arteta made clear the decision to start Madueke over Eze, who did not play a single minute against Leeds, came down to what he had seen on the training pitch in the ten days before the match.

“I'm really happy because he deserved the chance that he got and he grabbed it with both hands,” Arteta said. “When I haven't liked so much what he was doing or he wasn't impacting the game, I made certain decisions. He has accepted them.”

Arteta praises Madueke's response

The Arsenal manager was direct about just how much Madueke had improved his standing within the squad in a short space of time.

“What he's done is raise the level and in training he's been the best player in the last ten days,” Arteta added. “He gave me no option not to select him and not to play him today. You could see that every time he was in and around the ball, he looked a threat.”

The decision meant Eze, one of Arsenal's higher-profile attacking additions, was left out of the matchday impact entirely, underlining the level of competition Arteta now has to navigate across his forward positions once Tzolis returns from injury.

With Arsenal having found a way to win despite going behind, Arteta will have selection decisions to weigh carefully over the coming weeks as his attacking options continue to compete for a limited number of starting spots.

Mikel Arteta did not hold back when describing just how uncomfortable it was to review Arsenal's 3-0 defeat to Brighton before the international break, admitting the week that followed was spent questioning everything about that performance.

Arsenal returned from the break with a 2-1 win over Leeds, coming from behind after James Justin had put the visitors ahead. A triple substitution in the second half changed the game, with Riccardo Calafiori and Bruno Guimaraes both scoring to turn the result around and move the Gunners back to winning ways.

Arteta on the Brighton hangover

Speaking after the Leeds win, Arteta explained how badly the Brighton result had affected him in the days that followed, as quoted by the Daily Mail.

'(It was) not great, especially because you question yourself, what you haven't done in that game to be able to witness that again, my eyes were in pain,' Arteta said.

The manager framed the Leeds match as a chance to put things right after what he described as a performance that fell well short of Arsenal's standards. 'We weren't pleased against Brighton and today was an opportunity to put that right. We certainly reacted in the manner we expected,' he added.

Arteta also pointed to the difficulty of the early kick-off slot coming off the back of a defeat. 'With 12:30pm at home after a defeat, it is a bad mixture and we got out of that through pinching our desire to win, to have a reaction, to show the personality and courage that we have in this team,' he said.

Guimaraes praised for impact off the bench

Arteta singled out Guimaraes for special praise after his introduction sparked the turnaround against Leeds, with the midfielder scoring what the manager called a 'beauty' of a goal.

'The timing, the connection and the execution of it, it was a beauty,' Arteta said. 'He's done it twice already, against Sunderland and against Leeds as well and that's the quality that is needed at this level to continue to win.'

He was also direct in contrasting that display with Guimaraes' showing at Brighton. 'He wasn't at that level against Brighton and this is the level for Arsenal. Every week, every game, every minute, every action you have to be at that level,' Arteta said, adding that he intends to hold the rest of the squad to the same expectation going forward.

Arsenal will look to build on the Leeds win and carry that improved intensity into their next set of fixtures as the season continues.

Arsenal came from behind to beat Leeds United 2-1 at the Emirates, and according to Glenn Hoddle, the result said as much about the Gunners' mentality as it did about their quality on the day.

Leeds arrived unbeaten this season and took the lead against an Arsenal side still smarting from their defeat to Brighton before the international break. Mikel Arteta's players fought back to claim victory through goals from Riccardo Calafiori and Bruno Guimarães, just days after Arteta committed his long-term future to the club.

Speaking on Premier League Productions, Hoddle praised Leeds' performance but pointed to a clear gap between the two sides when it mattered most.

Hoddle's verdict on the margins

Hoddle said: “I thought Leeds were really good, they had a real balance to their play. The difference between the two sides was that Arsenal didn't play well but got over the line…that is what Champions do.”

He added: “They had a 20-minute spell in the second half where they upped their gear. Whereas Leeds had magic moments in the first half and weren't clinical. That is the gap between being top of the league and where Leeds are.”

It was a blunt but telling assessment. Leeds dominated spells of the game and deservedly took the lead, but their inability to turn control into a cushion proved costly once Arsenal found their rhythm after the break.

A statement result for Arteta's side

For Arsenal, this was not a vintage display, but it was the kind of result that title-chasing teams are often judged on. Grinding out a win while below their best, against a team in form and full of confidence, is the sort of marker Arteta has spoken about wanting his squad to set.

The comeback also arrives at a significant moment, coming just days after Arteta's new long-term commitment to the club was confirmed. A response of this nature, following the loss to Brighton, will go some way to easing any concerns that crept in during the international break.

Leeds, for their part, leave north London with credit despite the defeat. Their bright opening exchanges and overall structure under their current setup suggest they will continue to cause problems for sides higher up the table, even if their finishing let them down on this occasion.

Arsenal will now look to carry the momentum from this victory into their next set of fixtures, with Arteta hoping the character shown against Leeds becomes a theme rather than an exception as the season progresses.

Bruno Guimaraes needed just a handful of minutes to make an instant impact on his Arsenal home debut, curling home a brilliant winner against Leeds. Mikel Arteta's response afterwards was not simply praise, but a warning.

The £75million summer signing came off the bench to finish a flowing move involving Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, striking from the edge of the area to settle a difficult afternoon for Arsenal. It mirrored his impact as a substitute against Sunderland last month, though it stood in sharp contrast to his first Premier League start for the club, a 3-0 defeat at Brighton in which he struggled and was hauled off.

Arteta sets the bar

Asked whether the strike against Leeds was further proof the Brazilian midfielder was worth the outlay, Arteta was quick to draw a line between the two performances rather than simply celebrate the goal.

'But he wasn't at that level against Brighton,' Arteta said. 'This is the level for Arsenal. Every week, every game, every minute, every action, you have to be at that level. At Brighton he wasn't, today was much better. He can still be much better than the games he has done.'

The Arsenal manager made clear the standard he is setting applies as much to himself as to any individual player. 'That's what we have to demand. This is what I demand of myself. I'm going to demand the same of the players, because if we do that it will raise the standards and we will be a better team.'

A disrupted start to life in north London

Guimaraes' early weeks at Arsenal have been far from straightforward. He joined only a couple of weeks before the start of the season following an extended break after the World Cup, and his preparation was further complicated by international duty, starting just one of Brazil's three matches under Carlo Ancelotti on a trip that took in Australia and India. Minor injuries have also limited his involvement.

Arteta pointed to that lack of a normal pre-season as the explanation for his limited league starts so far. 'The reality is that he went to Australia, then to India. He's still not in the best condition because he hasn't had a pre-season. So we thought ok, [start] the players that are more settled here. If we have to bring him in and change the game, do it.'

With Arsenal facing a packed schedule, including matches on Tuesday night and again the following Sunday, managing Guimaraes' workload carefully is likely to remain a priority. 'We know it's going to be a lot of demands for everybody so we better manage that well,' Arteta added, as reported by the Evening Standard.

How quickly Guimaraes can reach full fitness and consistency will go a long way toward determining how soon he becomes a regular starter in Arteta's midfield.

Mikel Arteta turned to his big summer signing when Arsenal needed it most, and Bruno Guimarães delivered within nine minutes of coming off the bench to seal a 2-1 win over Leeds at the Emirates.

Arsenal had looked uncertain for long spells against a Leeds side that arrived unbeaten in the Premier League. The hosts struggled to find rhythm, with their passing described as intricate rather than incisive, and old defensive frailties were exposed when James Justin fired the visitors ahead early in the second half, finishing off Gabriel Gudmundsson’s cross after the Icelander got in behind Ben White.

Riccardo Calafiori pulled Arsenal level soon after, bundling home after White knocked down a Noni Madueke cross — his second goal of the season, continuing a run of buccaneering forward bursts from the left-back position. But it was the introduction of Guimarães just after the hour mark that transformed the contest.

Guimarães makes the difference

The Brazilian, signed from Newcastle in the summer, had been waiting for his chance but wasted no time making an impact once he entered the fray. He snapped into tackles, quickened Arsenal’s tempo and demanded sharper intent from those around him.

The winning goal stemmed from a slick move down the left involving Madueke, before Bukayo Saka combined with Martin Ødegaard and found Declan Rice bursting into the box. Rice, with Guimarães overlapping in support, back-heeled into the Brazilian’s path, and he steered the ball coolly past James Trafford.

Arsenal could have added further gloss to the scoreline, with Ødegaard missing a close-range chance and Trafford denying Saka in a one-on-one in stoppage time. Leeds, so threatening for the opening hour, did not register another meaningful attack once Arsenal took the lead.

Arteta praises mentality

Speaking after the match, Arteta pointed to the context of a difficult week, coming off a defeat to Brighton and an early kick-off, as reasons Arsenal had to dig deep. “We had to face the challenge because [Leeds] are a team that hadn’t lost in the Premier League,” he said. “They’re in a great position because they fully deserve it. They are incredibly dangerous and we got into a situation... It is a bad mixture and we got out of it through pinching our desire to win, by showing the personality and courage that we have in this team.”

Leeds boss Daniel Farke was left to reflect on fine margins, noting his side’s growth since promotion. “Today we came very close to winning an away game against one of the best sides in the world and we played exactly on their level, more or less,” he said, as reported by the Guardian.

Arsenal will look to build on the result as the Premier League schedule continues, with questions still lingering over the form of the centre-back pairing after a shaky opening hour.

Bruno Guimaraes has now scored twice from the bench in three Premier League matches, and once again the £75m summer signing proved decisive as Arsenal came from behind to beat Leeds United 2-1 at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Guimaraes, who sparked Arsenal's 2-0 win at Sunderland in September with the opening goal, struck the winner after replacing a starting XI that had fallen behind in the 55th minute. Riccardo Calafiori's equaliser set up the late turnaround, with the Italian's goal marking his first league strike of the season. No defender in the Premier League has been involved in more goals this term than Calafiori, with one goal and two assists.

The result put Mikel Arteta's side level on points with leaders Manchester City, extending their run to five wins in six league games. But the manner of the victory followed a familiar pattern: Arsenal have now fallen behind in a league match for the third time in four games, and only a David Raya penalty save prevented them from trailing at Sunderland as well.

Attack struggles to click without Gyokeres start

Arteta made a notable call in attack, starting Kai Havertz up front despite the forward returning early from international duty with a hamstring issue, while Viktor Gyokeres was left on the bench once again. Gyokeres scored four goals for Sweden during the last international break but is yet to start a Premier League game for Arsenal this season, and his cameos so far have fallen short of the level expected from a striker signed to lead a title defence.

With winger Christos Tzolis also picking up a hamstring issue on international duty with Greece and Eberechi Eze out of form, Arteta turned to Noni Madueke on the left. Madueke had been left out of the last England squad due to a lack of minutes at club level, but Arteta said he had been “the best player in training for the last 10 days”, suggesting the Leeds game could mark a turning point in his involvement.

Arteta flags defensive dip after Brighton mauling

Arsenal's title defence last season was built on the division's meanest defence, but they have already conceded five goals in six games this time around. The absence of the injured William Saliba has been notable, with his calmness alongside Gabriel Magalhaes considered one of the best partnerships in world football. Ezri Konsa, signed from Aston Villa for £55m, is still adjusting after replacing Saliba.

Reflecting on the heavy 3-0 defeat at Brighton before the Leeds match, Arteta said: “The last time we put our shirts on, something was missing. And we need to be very conscious of that. From being exceptional and being the champions to being extremely average, like in that game, is a really thin line.”

He added that the squad had addressed the issue directly: “We speak about it and you could sense that there was something in those tummies.”

Arsenal will look to build on the win and address the defensive wobbles before their next test, with Guimaraes' impact from the bench now a recurring theme in Arteta's search for consistency. Quotes via BBC Sport.

Bruno Guimaraes needed only a cameo off the bench to change the complexion of Arsenal's afternoon, and Martin Keown was left purring at what he saw.

Arsenal trailed Leeds United 1-0 at home after James Justin's 55th-minute strike capped a first-half performance in which the visitors were, by most accounts, the better side. Riccardo Calafiori levelled things up in the 62nd minute, turning in a Ben White header from a Noni Madueke cross, but it was what followed that really shifted the momentum.

Mikel Arteta made a triple substitution, withdrawing White, Kai Havertz and Myles Lewis-Skelly for Jurrien Timber, Viktor Gyokeres and Guimaraes. Within minutes, the Brazilian had won the ball back high up the pitch, and the game opened up from there. Martin Odegaard began dictating play, releasing Declan Rice, who in turn set up Guimaraes with a clever flick. The summer signing finished emphatically into the bottom corner to seal a 2-1 comeback win.

Keown hails Guimaraes' impact

Speaking to TNT Sports, former Arsenal defender Martin Keown was effusive about the difference Guimaraes made after coming on.

“If you're gonna be champions again, to repeat it, you have to win these games. And Arsenal found a way to win,” Keown said. “But, credit Leeds, I thought Leeds were outstanding, compact. In the duels they were tenacious.

“And then suddenly Bruno Guimaraes comes off the bench, and he plays with that electricity, a personality. Ok, Calafiori gets the equaliser, but it goes to another level [after the subs]. Suddenly you see all the intricate football from Odegaard, and Arsenal are flying again and look like champions.”

Keown was also quick to credit Arteta's decision-making. “Credit to the manager, with the wonderful players on the bench he has at his disposal, he got it right, the timing was right,” he added.

On Guimaraes specifically, Keown did not hold back. “This man here, he's really endeared himself to the faithful here. He's another level. He's the sort of player you buy when you're champions. Personality, he's oozing class, that sort of devilment — I'm gonna win this game. The goal he gets, he starts, finishes it. He's made a big announcement now that he's an Arsenal player.”

Cole: 'A joy to watch'

Fellow pundit Joe Cole described Guimaraes' winner as a “thing of beauty”. He said: “From a Leeds perspective, when you get beaten by something, and there's nothing you can do about it, it's just gut-wrenching. But that's what champions do. And that's the quality that this Arsenal team has got. They're actually a joy to watch.”

The win follows a 3-0 defeat at Brighton before the international break, and comes with Arsenal looking to keep pace in what Keown called a “phony title race”. Guimaraes' impact off the bench will only add to the debate over Arteta's squad depth as the campaign continues.

Mikel Arteta has revealed he delivered a pointed message to Declan Rice at the start of the season, telling the midfielder directly that his role in the team has changed.

Speaking after Arsenal's 2-1 comeback win over Leeds United at the Emirates, where James Justin's opener was cancelled out by Riccardo Calafiori before substitute Bruno Guimaraes struck the winner, Arteta was asked whether he had wanted Rice to focus more on contributing assists and passes in the final third this season. His answer was blunt.

\u201cYes,\u201d Arteta said, before explaining how he approached the conversation. \u201cI went to him and I said, and it's a private conversation, but you are not the lighthouse anymore, you are something else. At the end of the season I can tell you what, this is where I want to take him, but he's not the lighthouse anymore, he's something else and he needs to prove that on the pitch.\u201d

A tough three weeks for Arteta

The win over Leeds came after a difficult stretch for Arsenal, who returned from the international break still processing a heavy defeat and a squad missing 16 players. Arteta admitted the performance that preceded this run had left him questioning himself.

\u201cThe first few days, week, not great, especially because you question yourself, what you haven't done in that game to be able to witness again that my eyes were in pain,\u201d he said. \u201cFirst of all, what I could have done better, what we lacked, there were a lot of factors, it was the fourth game, away from home as well, about this incredible schedule, and sometimes you play an opponent that on the day can be better than you, and they were better than us, especially in two very key things.\u201d

Against Leeds, Arteta felt something had been \u201ctouched\u201d in Arsenal's identity following the defeat to Brighton, and wanted a reaction. \u201cEvery time we put that shirt on, the last time that we put our shirts on, something was missing and we need to be very conscious of that,\u201d he said. \u201cFrom being exceptional, I mean the champions, to being extremely average like in that game is a really thin line.\u201d

Guimaraes impact praised again

Guimaraes, who scored the winner after coming off the bench, has now made a decisive impact in back-to-back matches, having done the same against Sunderland. Arteta pointed to the Brazilian's experience as the key factor. \u201cThat's the quality that is needed at this level to continue to win,\u201d he said, while also noting Guimaraes was below his best at Brighton. \u201cThis is the level for Arsenal, every week, every game, every minute, every action you have to be at that level and at Brighton he wasn't and today he was much better.\u201d

Arteta also praised Noni Madueke's performance on the left, saying the winger had been \u201cthe best player in training in the last 10 days,\u201d and touched on managing the returning internationals, including Myles Lewis-Skelly and Viktor Gyokeres, as Arsenal prepare for a congested run of fixtures. The quotes were provided via football.london, who transcribed Arteta's full post-match press conference.

Arsenal now turn their attention to a quick turnaround, with Arteta flagging a demanding schedule of matches in the days ahead.

Glenn Hoddle has labelled Declan Rice the 'most effective player' in the Premier League, with Ray Parlour urging Arsenal to get a new contract for the midfielder over the line as soon as possible.

Arsenal came from behind to beat Daniel Farke's Leeds 2-1 at the Emirates on Saturday afternoon. James Justin had given the visitors an early lead before Riccardo Calafiori levelled things up, and substitute Bruno Guimaraes struck the winner with 20 minutes remaining.

Rice started the match having missed England's fixtures during the international break, and was central to Arsenal's second goal, backheeling the ball into Guimaraes' path for the Brazilian to finish clinically.

Hoddle's verdict on Rice

Speaking to Premier League Productions, Hoddle was full of praise for the 26-year-old's all-round display. 'That's the beauty of Rice,' he said. 'One minute he's blocking the ball on the line or the edge of the box, saving the day defensively, the next he can come up with a bit of skill when he's released and allowed to go play a little bit with more freedom.'

'He had a lovely bit of skill on the byline where he dummied, came in and nearly scored. For me, he's the most effective player in the PL, he can do anything, he can play anywhere and he will give you a 9/10 every week. He is a very good player.'

Parlour calls for new deal

Mikel Arteta signed a new long-term contract at the Emirates this week, with reports suggesting Arsenal are also closing in on tying Rice down to fresh terms. Former Gunners midfielder Ray Parlour used Rice's display against Leeds to push the club to finalise that deal without delay.

'We talk about Arteta's new contract, I think he will be the next one,' Parlour said. 'You need to tie him down because I think he only has two years left on his contract. I think there are talks now so Declan Rice will be the next one to get a bumper deal.'

Rice joined Arsenal from West Ham in the summer of 2023 and has quickly established himself as one of the most important figures in Arteta's squad, operating as a defensive midfielder while regularly contributing in the final third. Saturday's assist for Guimaraes was a reminder of that dual threat, with Hoddle's comments, reported by Metro, underlining the regard in which he is held across the league.

With contract talks reportedly underway, attention will now turn to whether Arsenal can get a new deal agreed before speculation around Rice's future gathers pace.

Bruno Guimaraes marked his first official home appearance for Arsenal with the winning goal as the Gunners came from behind to beat Leeds United 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium, scoring twice in eight second-half minutes to turn the game around.

James Justin had given Daniel Farke's side a surprise lead before Riccardo Calafiori levelled things up just after the hour mark with a close-range finish. Guimaraes, introduced from the bench, then completed the comeback less than ten minutes after coming on with a composed finish from the edge of the penalty area.

The win was a timely response for Arsenal following a 3-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion before the international break, and lifted the mood around the Emirates after a result that had raised eyebrows.

Guimaraes: 'I feel unbelievable'

Speaking after the match, Guimaraes made clear how much the goal and the three points meant to him. “I feel unbelievable. I feel in the last game against Brighton we were not the level that... and today the mentality was bouncing back,” he said, as quoted by football.london.

“To be honest, to be fair, this is my first official game at home, it's been unbelievable: score an important goal, three important points and yeah, great finish, I'm very happy.”

The Brazilian has made just one Premier League start so far this season since his £75m move from Newcastle United in the summer, with competition for places in Arsenal's midfield proving stiff. But Guimaraes was candid about his mentality whenever he does get on the pitch.

“For me it's important when I'm on the pitch to give my best - give a little bit of a headache for the manager,” he admitted. “I'm just very glad to score my first goal here at the Emirates, an important goal. We want to be champions again so three points is always welcome.”

He added: “I think I've been proving myself in the Premier League for the last five years. But of course it's a new challenge for me, it's always important to play. And like I said, for me, the most important thing for Bruno is going onto the pitch and playing my best football, and I'm very happy about today.”

On Leeds specifically, who arrived at the Emirates unbeaten in the league, Guimaraes said: “The Premier League is very tight. I think Leeds have a great team. It was a tough game, we're glad we got the three points but like I said, very tight - so very welcome when we get the three points.”

Arteta wanted a reaction

Mikel Arteta echoed that sense of relief after the match, telling TNT Sports that restoring Arsenal's identity was just as important as the result itself. “Before the game we talked about two things. One, the challenge ahead because Leeds had not lost in the Premier League and it was going to be really tough. And second one, to restore our identity and be ourselves again, regardless of the context of the match,” he said. “We weren't pleased against Brighton and today was an opportunity to put that right. We certainly reacted in the manner we expected.”

Arsenal will look to build on the response as they continue their title defence, with Guimaraes now firmly making his case for more minutes in the weeks ahead.

Arsenal came from behind to beat Leeds United 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, moving level at the top of the Premier League table, but the performance was far from convincing. James Justin put the visitors ahead in the 55th minute before Riccardo Calafiori equalised and substitute Bruno Guimaraes struck the winner in the 70th minute.

The scoreline suggests a routine victory, but individual displays told a different story, with several Arsenal regulars struggling to impose themselves on the game.

David Raya the standout performer

Goalkeeper David Raya was rated the best player on the pitch, with GiveMeSport awarding him an A grade and noting he was the only player to perform at a high level throughout. Without his interventions, the result could have looked very different.

At the other end of the spectrum, Kai Havertz endured a difficult afternoon after starting despite picking up an injury on international duty with Germany. He struggled to hold up play or get involved in the final third, earning the lowest grade of the day.

Bukayo Saka also had a game to forget, failing to create much down the right and missing a glaring chance late on, while Noni Madueke's inclusion in the starting XI drew criticism, with his final product described as non-existent despite playing the full 90 minutes.

Rice and Odegaard steady the ship

Declan Rice was below his usual standard for much of the match, with his passing safe but his overall threat limited, though he produced a key assist for Guimaraes' winner once Arsenal fell behind. Martin Odegaard struggled early on but took control of the game after Leeds' opener, dictating tempo and helping engineer the comeback.

Defensively, Ben White had a tough first half before setting up Calafiori's equaliser with a header across goal, and was substituted shortly after. Gabriel was also below his best, struggling with the physicality of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, while Riccardo Calafiori was singled out as one of the few players to impress, continuing his strong recent form at left-back.

Off the bench, Bruno Guimaraes made an immediate impact, scoring the winner and transforming the game after coming on, prompting suggestions he should now be considered for a starting role. Jurrien Timber also impressed after replacing White, with Leeds struggling to create chances once he entered the fray. Viktor Gyokeres, meanwhile, was again used as a substitute despite scoring in all four of Sweden's games during the international break, and was criticised for failing to convert a late opportunity.

Arsenal will need a more consistent collective performance as the season progresses, particularly from key attacking players like Saka and Havertz, if they are to maintain their position at the top of the table.

Arsenal found themselves behind before responding with the kind of resolve that title-chasing sides need, coming from behind to beat Leeds United 2-1. The result continues a pattern that has become familiar for Mikel Arteta's side this season: the ability to dig out results even when the opening exchanges do not go their way.

Leeds took the lead against the run of expectation, forcing Arsenal to rethink their approach on the afternoon. Rather than wilting under the pressure of a surprise deficit, the Gunners responded with two goals of their own to turn the game around and secure all three points, as detailed by Philip Duncan for Yahoo Sports.

Another test passed

Games against promoted or newly returned sides can often prove tricky, with opponents setting up to frustrate the bigger name on the pitch. Leeds' approach on the day appeared to follow that script early on, and for a spell it looked as though Arsenal might be made to pay for any slow start.

Instead, the response from Arteta's players underlined the mentality that has been built over recent seasons. Coming from behind to win is not something Arsenal have always been associated with in the past, but it is increasingly becoming a hallmark of this current group.

Champions-level composure

The description of the win as showing champions' grit speaks to where Arsenal currently find themselves in the conversation at the top of the Premier League. Results like this one, ground out rather than cruised to, are often the ones that end up mattering most when titles are decided in May.

There will be sterner tests to come, and Leeds will not be the most accomplished side Arsenal face this season. But the manner of the turnaround, from conceding first to finishing as comfortable winners, offers another data point in favour of the squad's depth and temperament under pressure.

Arsenal will look to carry this momentum into their next fixture as the title race continues to take shape through the autumn.

Arsenal returned from the international break with a 2-1 comeback victory over Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium, recovering from a sluggish first-half performance to claim a crucial three points following their first league defeat of the season.

The Gunners struggled to find rhythm after the three-week hiatus, managing just one shot on target in a lethargic opening 45 minutes. Leeds looked the more dangerous side on the counter-attack, and David Raya was called upon to make several important saves to keep the scoreline level.

The visitors took a deserved lead ten minutes into the second half when James Justin fired home after connecting with a cross from Gabriel Gudmundsson, catching an Arsenal defense that had looked uncharacteristically porous. It marked the second game running in which the Gunners had been breached early after the break, following the 3-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion before the international break.

Second-half turnaround

Arsenal responded rather than wilting. Riccardo Calafiori levelled the score in the 70th minute, continuing a strong run of goal involvements in the left-back role this season. The goal shifted momentum firmly in the hosts' favour, and they completed the turnaround soon after when substitute Bruno Guimarães finished off a flowing move from the edge of the box, with Declan Rice supplying the assist.

According to SI, Arsenal were dramatically improved after the break, racking up 2.17 expected goals, five shots on target and three big chances in the second half alone. Overall the Gunners finished with 2.58 xG, 13 shots and 58% possession, comfortably outperforming Leeds across the board despite the slow start.

Encouraging signs despite the wobble

Guimarães was singled out for his impact off the bench, scoring his second Arsenal goal and injecting energy into a midfield that had looked flat for large spells. Raya also drew praise for his first-half saves, with his defense below its usual standard on the day.

Kai Havertz, who was carrying a minor knock from international duty with Germany, struggled to influence the game and managed just 23 touches before being replaced. Arsenal have now conceded four goals in their last two matches, having kept three clean sheets in their opening four league games of the season, a dip in defensive solidity that will need addressing heading into the coming weeks.

The result extended Arsenal's unbeaten run against Leeds to 17 matches across all competitions. With the response to the Brighton defeat delivering the desired result, Arteta's side will look to build on the victory as the Premier League schedule resumes in earnest.

Arsenal needed a second-half turnaround to see off a stubborn Leeds United side at Emirates Stadium on Saturday, coming from behind to win 2-1 thanks to goals from Riccardo Calafiori and Bruno Guimaraes.

Mikel Arteta made three changes to the side beaten by Brighton, bringing in Ben White, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Noni Madueke. Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres had to settle for the bench, while Kai Havertz kept his place up front despite reportedly picking up a knock on international duty.

A slow first half

Arsenal started brightly but faded quickly as Leeds settled into the game, pressing high and moving the ball well. The hosts were caught offside four times inside the opening 16 minutes, and it took 20 minutes for Arsenal to register their first shot, a Havertz header from a Madueke cross that lacked the power to trouble James Trafford.

Leeds had the better of the chances throughout the half. Anton Stach saw a goalbound effort blocked by his own teammate, Jayden Bogle forced a save out of David Raya, and Gabriel Gudmundsson struck a well-hit effort that Raya had to parry away just before the break. By half time, Arsenal were second best in nearly every department.

The comeback

Leeds took a deserved lead ten minutes into the second half when Gudmundsson got free down the left again, his low cross eventually falling to James Justin, who slammed it past Calafiori and Gabriel on the line.

Arsenal were level within seven minutes. Madueke's deep cross found White at the back post, who headed back across goal for Calafiori to volley home from close range after Havertz had dragged two defenders away.

Arteta responded immediately with a triple change, sending on Jurrien Timber, Bruno Guimaraes and Gyokeres for White, Lewis-Skelly and Havertz. The substitutions transformed the game. Seven minutes after the equaliser, Arsenal completed the turnaround through a slick move: Madueke found Odegaard, who found Saka, who found Declan Rice, whose clever backheel teed up Guimaraes to finish into the bottom corner for his first goal at the Emirates.

Arsenal continued to press for a third, with Saka shooting over and Odegaard somehow failing to convert from close range after good work from Rice. Arteta made two further changes late on, bringing on Piero Hincapie and Mikel Merino for Calafiori and Odegaard to see the game out. Gyokeres had a glaring chance to seal the win after a mix-up between Trafford and Tarik Muharemovic but couldn't find an angle, and Saka was denied in stoppage time by a smart Trafford save.

As detailed in the original Arseblog match report, Arsenal were well below their best for long stretches but found enough quality from the bench to turn the game around. The win moves Arsenal onto three points from the fixture, with attention now turning to the next round of matches.

Ethan Nwaneri's pattern of not finishing games for Borussia Dortmund continued on Friday night, with the Arsenal loanee hauled off for a fifth straight start despite a moment that nearly produced a highlight-reel goal.

Nwaneri, who joined Dortmund on deadline day, came close to his first goal for the club in the 62nd minute of the 2-2 draw with Werder Bremen when he appeared to score with a bicycle kick. The goal was ruled out, however, after referee Christian Dingert judged that Waldemar Anton had committed an offensive foul on Niclas Fullkrug in the build-up, meaning VAR could not intervene.

The 19-year-old was substituted shortly after the hour mark, meaning he has yet to complete 90 minutes in any of his five appearances across competitions since arriving in Germany. His only direct goal involvement so far came with an assist on his debut against Hoffenheim, and he was denied twice on Friday by former Arsenal goalkeeper Karl Hein, who was in fine form between the posts for Bremen.

How German outlets rated him

Reaction from German media, as covered by football.london, was largely consistent in its view of the performance. BILD, Germany's biggest newspaper, gave Nwaneri a grade of five, the joint-lowest mark on the pitch for Dortmund alongside Marcel Sabitzer, though the outlet suggested the score might have been different had his effort stood. BILD described the disallowed goal as leaving Dortmund to briefly celebrate before the decision went against them, calling it a bitter evening for the club.

Spox were more measured, awarding Nwaneri a 3 out of 6 (with 1 the best possible grade) and noting he grew into the game after a quiet start, eventually becoming Dortmund's most dangerous attacking outlet. They highlighted a clever chipped pass that set up a big chance for Beier before his own shots either lacked accuracy or were saved by Hein.

Goal also pointed to his technical quality while acknowledging he struggled to influence the game against a deep-sitting Bremen side, handing him a 6 out of 10. Among Dortmund players, only Serhou Guirassy, Maximilian Beier and goalkeeper Gregor Kobel scored lower in their ratings.

Context at Dortmund

Nwaneri's underwhelming individual numbers have come against a backdrop of strong results for Dortmund, who remain unbeaten and top of the Bundesliga with 13 points from their opening matches, though Bayern Munich and Freiburg both have a game in hand. The winger will be looking to turn promising performances into end product as he continues to adapt to men's football in Germany on loan from Arsenal.

Arsenal have reportedly been told that even a bid of £84.7million would not be enough to prise Pio Esposito away from Inter Milan, as Mikel Arteta continues to weigh up options to strengthen his attack.

According to Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport, Arsenal made contact with Inter during the summer to enquire about the 21-year-old forward, who impressed in last season's Champions League meeting between the two sides. Inter chief executive Beppe Marotta is said to have made clear that an offer of €100million (£84.7million) would fall short of the club's valuation.

Esposito's price has reportedly risen further since he signed a new contract in September that ties him to Inter until 2032. Whether Arsenal choose to test that valuation again in January or next summer remains to be seen.

Where does this leave Gyokeres?

The interest in Esposito comes with Viktor Gyokeres currently operating as back-up to Kai Havertz for Arsenal's biggest matches. The Swede scored 14 goals last season as Arsenal ended a 22-year wait for the Premier League title, but has not commanded a guaranteed starting spot under Arteta so far this campaign.

Esposito would arrive as a direct rival for that central striker role, and his arrival could push Gyokeres further down the pecking order, potentially opening the door to a future departure. Arsenal have also been linked with other forward options in recent months, including Eli Junior Kroupi and Julian Alvarez, as Arteta assesses how to reshape his attacking department.

A possible windfall from Balogun

Separately, Arsenal could be set for a significant financial boost if former academy striker Folarin Balogun completes a January move to Juventus. The 25-year-old was expected to join Everton for £38.5million in the summer, but withdrew from the move following his deadline-day medical and returned to Monaco instead.

Balogun has featured just once for the Ligue 1 club this season. Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Juventus are now considering him as one of three options to address their forward issues, with on-loan Newcastle striker Nick Woltemade said to have scored only once in four appearances since arriving at the club, leaving the Serie A side 'concerned'.

Should Juventus press ahead with a move for Balogun, Arsenal stand to benefit significantly. The striker left Arsenal in 2023 after 15 years at the club, and his £34.3million transfer to Monaco included a 17.5 per cent sell-on clause that would hand Arsenal a cut of any future sale.

Arsenal return to Premier League action this afternoon against Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium, looking to bounce back from their 3-0 defeat at Brighton last month before Tuesday's Champions League meeting with Lille.

Arsenal have confirmed their starting lineup for Saturday's Premier League clash with Leeds United at the Emirates, with Mikel Arteta opting for Noni Madueke ahead of Eberechi Eze and handing Kai Havertz a return to the XI following a minor injury.

The Gunners go with Rice and Lewis-Skelly as a double pivot in midfield, with Martin Odegaard operating just ahead of them alongside Madueke, Bukayo Saka and Havertz across the front line. David Raya starts in goal behind a back four of White, Konsa, Gabriel and Calafiori.

It is Arsenal's first Premier League outing since the defeat to Brighton, a result Arteta described as a “lesson” in his pre-match press conference. The return to domestic action also follows an extended break from league football, with the manager keen to see a reaction from his players.

Eze and Gyokeres among the subs

Eze, who was heavily tipped by many to start, instead finds himself among the substitutes alongside Viktor Gyokeres, Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi, Piero Hincapie, Jurrien Timber, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Myles Lewis-Skelly's midfield partner Christian Norgaard — sorry, Charlie Patino is not involved — and youngster Ethan Nwaneri's teammate Max Dowman, plus Marquinhos Guimaraes.

Calafiori's inclusion at left-back appears to have shaped much of the rest of the selection. With the Italian starting, Arteta has turned to Madueke's pace and defensive work rate on the opposite flank rather than Eze, whose game is built more around central, inverted play than tracking back.

Gyokeres, meanwhile, continues to wait for a recall to the starting XI, with Havertz preferred once again through the middle. The Swede has been among the goals on international duty with Sweden, but that form has not yet translated into a Premier League start ahead of Havertz this season.

Leeds team news

Leeds United, newly promoted and managing their own injury list, name Trafford in goal with a back four of Bogle, Gudmundsson, Elvedi and Muharemovic protecting him. Ethan Ampadu and Tanaka sit in midfield, with Stach, Okafor and Dominic Calvert-Lewin asked to provide the attacking threat. Daniel Farke has Joel Piroe alternative Lukas Nmecha, Brenden Aaronson and Sam Byram among the substitutes.

As noted by Arseblog, this fixture marks Arsenal's return to Premier League business after a run of other competitions and international fixtures, and it gives Arteta an early opportunity to respond to the Brighton setback in front of the home support.

Kick-off at the Emirates Stadium is imminent, with Arsenal looking to restore momentum in the league table against a Leeds side aiming to cause an upset on their visit to north London.

Arsenal scored a Premier League record 19 goals from corners last season on their way to a first title in 22 years. Five games into this campaign, they have scored precisely none.

It is not for lack of trying, and it is not simply bad luck. According to analysis reported by the Daily Mail, a Premier League-wide crackdown on grappling at set-pieces, combined with a new rule banning players from drying the ball with towels before throw-ins, has significantly blunted one of Arteta's most potent weapons.

The numbers behind the slump

Last season, 18 per cent of all Premier League goals came from corners - the highest share in the competition's history. This season that figure has crashed to 9.9 per cent, the second-lowest on record, as referees have been told to punish 'holding actions that have clear material impact' inside the box.

Arsenal have felt that shift more than most. Having ranked top for set-piece goals over the past three seasons, and first for expected goals (xG) from set-pieces last term, the Gunners have dropped to ninth for xG and 14th for shots from dead-ball situations this season. Gabriel has had three attempts from set-pieces without scoring, despite the underlying numbers suggesting he should already have a couple.

Mikel Arteta has pointed to the new towel rule as a specific factor. Ben White and Declan Rice regularly launched long throws into the box last season that led to goals, but drying the ball is no longer permitted. 'Not being able to use the towels is already a big one,' Arteta said ahead of the season.

Speaking before Saturday's lunchtime kick-off against Leeds, Arteta added: 'You have to adjust to the rules and what is allowed and what is not. That opens other windows to do things that we want to do. We hope to score in a different way. My personal opinion is that we have done better things than last year in the first five games, but we have scored no goals. That is the reality of set-pieces.'

He continued: 'Last year we had scored three goals by this time, and two of them we didn't have to do much about and the execution it deserved wasn't done right. There is an element of luck. I think this season we should have scored more but we haven't. If we maintain that throughout the season, we will be in really good numbers.'

Missing personnel compounds the problem

Arsenal have also been without key figures who thrived in these situations. William Saliba has missed all five league matches so far, while Jurrien Timber, who scored three set-piece goals last season including two against Leeds, has missed three games through injury. Ezri Konsa, deputising at the back, will need time to adapt to Nicolas Jover's routines, and his own fitness for the Leeds game is uncertain.

Arsenal face the tallest team in the division on Saturday looking to end their set-piece drought, but with the league's new enforcement showing no signs of easing, Arteta's side may need to find fresh ways to manufacture an edge at the back post.