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Bruno Guimaraes stars for Arsenal in Leeds United win

By on October 10, 2026

Bruno Guimaraes came off the bench to net the winning goal for Arsenal as Mikel Arteta’s side rallied from a goal down to defeat Leeds United 2-1.

The Gunners lacked the cutting edge for much of the opening half of the contest and had David Raya to thank for keeping the scoreline level heading into the break. It marked the first time the North Londoners went into the break without a goal when facing Leeds at home since January 1998.

Leeds pressure paid off in the 55th minute when James Justin fired the Whites into the lead in what was his third goal against Mikel Arteta’s side.

With Arsenal trailing, the manager, who just recently extended his contract until 2030, turned to the bench to bring on Bruno Guimaraes, Jurrien Timber and Viktor Gyokeres as Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ben White and Kai Havertz made way.

It took only seven minutes for the Premier League champions to draw level through Riccardo Calafiori’s volley to mark his third goal of the season and his first at the Emirates Stadium.

Guimaraes soon put Arsenal ahead with a ferocious strike from outside the box. It was a move the former Newcastle captain initiated with a nutmeg before linking up well with a Declan Rice backheel to strike the winner.

Splendid performance

Since making his Premier League debut in February 2022, he has now scored nine of his 32 league goals from outside the box. Only Tottenham Hotspur’s James Maddison has a higher proportion among players with at least 25 Premier League goals, having scored nine of his 29 strikes from distance.

Guimaraes made a telling impact in his 27 minutes on the pitch, recording 30 touches and finding a teammate with 20 of his 21 passes. The Brazilian repeatedly looked to push Arsenal forward, completing nine passes in the final third, along with two into the penalty area and three into the attacking third.

Off the ball, the 28-year-old was also committed to preserving his side’s lead, winning possession five times, coming out top in four of his contested duels, making one clearance and not being dribbled past on any occasion throughout his time on the pitch

Speaking after the game, the midfielder said it was a ‘great feeling’ and underlined his commitment to giving his best to the team, as well as giving ‘a bit of a headache’ to the head coach in the selection process after such a performance.

Guimaraes will hope that his performance has indeed given Arteta enough of a headache to hand him a start when Arsenal host Ligue 1 side Lille on matchweek two of the UEFA Champions League at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.