Arteta's Arsenal restore identity with 2-1 comeback win over Leeds
Gunners bounce back from Brighton humiliation
Arsenal needed to rediscover who they are. That was Mikel Arteta's message to his players after a bruising 3-0 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion sent the Premier League champions into the international break with a sour taste. They returned to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday and delivered a response, coming from behind to beat Leeds United 2-1.
Leeds, unbeaten in the Premier League going into the contest, struck first through James Justin. But the Gunners were level within eight minutes as Riccardo Calafiori and Bruno Guimaraes turned the game on its head to seal a hard-fought victory.
'Restore our identity and be ourselves again'
Arteta made clear the performance against Brighton had not been acceptable and that Saturday's test was about reasserting the team's character. Speaking to TNT Sports, the Spaniard said:
"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 [the] second one, to restore our identity and be ourselves again, regardless of the context of the match. We weren't pleased against Brighton and this was an opportunity to put that right. We certainly reacted in the manner we expected."
It took time to click. Arsenal were poor for the opening hour and managed only five shots in the first 55 minutes before Justin's strike. They then produced five shots in the 15 minutes following Leeds' opener — including both of their goals that swung the contest.
Talking to BBC Sport, Arteta pointed to the weight of the occasion after the break:
"After three weeks away, 16 players out on international duty, after the defeat against Brighton, there was still something in the tummy, something that we had to prove what we are made of. We had to prove it against a team that are difficult to beat. We overcome all the situations with unbelievable spirit, a lot of quality as well, and with the finishers coming in and helping us to win the game."
Guimaraes the super-sub
The winning goal came from Bruno Guimaraes, and it continued a remarkable personal trend. Both of his Premier League goals for Arsenal have come from outside the box, both arrived as a substitute, and both were assisted by Declan Rice — each time putting the Gunners in front. He is the first player to score twice from the bench this season.
"That only happens when the player on the bench understands the role of the day and is able and ready to impact the pitch like he has done. It's the best way to talk," Arteta said of the Brazilian.
The result means Arsenal are the first team to win two games from behind in the Premier League this season, having also recovered from 1-0 down to beat Chelsea 2-1 in their previous home fixture.
Farke's pride amid the pain
Leeds were left to rue a familiar story. They lost a Premier League game in which they opened the scoring in the second half for the first time since October 1992, when they fell 2-1 to Queens Park Rangers. Manager Daniel Farke was torn between pride and heartbreak:
"Gutted for my lads because they showed an excellent performance. I'm heartbroken that we didn't take anything away. But also proud because we played excellent in the first half. I said at half-time, if we have more clarity and belief in our situations, then we can win this game. We went for it, even to score the second goal, we had the momentum on our side, but Arsenal are the reigning champions. One of the best teams, if not the best team in Europe – this means one of the best teams in the world. Even with little details they are able to capitalise. All credit goes to them, they found a way to turn this game."