Guimaraes reveals Arteta's message behind Rice-fuelled wonder goal

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Bruno Guimaraes has become Arsenal's go-to weapon from the bench, and the Brazilian has now explained exactly what Mikel Arteta tells him before he strikes.

Guimaraes came off the bench to fire home a crucial equaliser-turned-winner in Arsenal's 2-1 victory over Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, smashing a first-time finish into the bottom corner after a slick move involving Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice. The goal arrived shortly after Riccardo Calafiori had levelled the scores, with Arsenal eventually holding on for three points in the early stages of the Premier League title race.

The move began with Odegaard sliding a pass down the left to Saka, who dragged James Justin out of position before returning the ball to his captain. Odegaard then found Rice, who had drawn in several defenders, and the England midfielder flicked the ball into the path of Guimaraes arriving unmarked on the edge of the box. Guimaraes did not need a second touch, drilling the ball low into the near corner.

Arteta's instructions behind the goal

Speaking to club media after the match, Guimaraes revealed the message Arteta regularly drills into his midfielders. He said: “Mikel always tells us to never stay in the same position and always try to disorganise the other team. I think we did that very well. When Dec set the pass for me, the first thing in my mind was: ‘I can't miss this, I can't miss this, I have to score!’ It was a great finish, a great goal and a great moment for everyone.”

The connection between Guimaraes and Rice is becoming a notable pattern. Every one of Guimaraes' Premier League goals for Arsenal has now come from outside the box, as a substitute, and assisted by Rice — each one putting Arsenal in front. The pair first showed signs of this link-up during the 2-0 win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light earlier this season, and Guimaraes has now scored nine goals from outside the box since his Premier League debut in February 2022, a tally bettered only by Eberechi Eze and Phil Foden.

Arteta's demands for his midfield

In his post-match press conference, Arteta was pressed on Guimaraes' recent form and pointed to the need for consistency. He said: “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, and he can still be much better in the games that he's done, and that's what we have to demand.”

Arteta also offered an intriguing update on Rice's evolving role, revealing a private conversation between the two. “I went to him and said, and it's a private conversation, but you are not the lighthouse anymore; you are something else,” Arteta said. “At the end of the season, I can tell you what, 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.”

As reported by football.london, the partnership between Guimaraes and Rice looks set to remain a key feature of Arteta's game plans as Arsenal continue their title pursuit.