Guimaraes scores first Emirates goal, says he wants to give Arteta a 'headache'

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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.