Arteta praises match winner Guimaraes’ response after ‘not being at the level’ in defeat to Brighton
Mikel Arteta praised Bruno Guimaraes for bouncing back after the midfielder came off the bench to score Arsenal’s winner in their 2-1 victory over Leeds.
Guimaraes was left out of the starting line-up following a demanding period of international duty, but made the difference after being introduced as Arsenal came from behind to win.
“I think all the players on the bench today expected to start,” Arteta said on Guimaraes not starting.
“They’ve been doing so well as well for their national teams.
“That’s what I have to manage. 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 the players who are more settled will start and if we have to bring on players to change the game, we’ll do it.
“We know it’s going to be a lot of demands for everybody.”
Arteta also challenged Guimaraes to maintain the level he showed against Leeds after admitting the midfielder had fallen below Arsenal’s standards in their defeat to Brighton before the break.
“He wasn’t at that level against Brighton and this is the level for Arsenal,” Arteta said.
“Every week, every game, every minute, every action, you have to be at that level.
“Against Brighton, he wasn’t, and today was much better. He can still be much better and that’s what we have to demand and I demand of myself.
“If he does that, he’ll raise the standards and we’ll be a better team.”
Arteta also praised his team for the way they responded to their recent adversity.
“The last time we put this shirt on, something was missing, and we need to be very conscious of that,” Arteta said.
“From being exceptional and the champions to being extremely average like in that game against Brighton is a really thin line.
“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.
“But then you have to learn the lesson and we’ve certainly done that.”
