Arsenal star admits Leeds moment was ‘unbelievable’

Bruno Guimaraes has admitted scoring on his home debut for Arsenal was an ‘unbelievable’ feeling, after netting the winner against Leeds United on Saturday.

Given we’re now in the middle of October, it seems somewhat incredible that Saturday’s game was Bruno Guimaraes’ competitive home debut for Arsenal.

The former Newcastle United midfielder had already made six appearances for the Gunners in all competitions, but he’d missed the first two home games. He was injured for the Coventry City fixture, and he picked up another knock that consigned him to the bench against Chelsea.

So nine games into the new campaign, the summer signing finally stepped onto the pitch in an Arsenal shirt at the Emirates for the first time (competitively) on Saturday, and he made an immediate impact.

Seven minutes after coming on, he’d scored an excellent winning goal.

Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Guimaraes was clearly delighted to have had such a positive influence, particularly after a less encouraging display last time out against Brighton.

“It feels unbelievable,” Guimaraes said. “In the last game against Brighton, we were not at the level that this shirt demands. Today, the mentality was bouncing back.

“This is my first official game at home, scoring an important goal, three important points – I’m very happy.”

Another positive from Guimaraes’ winner was that it was another example of positive link-up play between the summer signing and Declan Rice.

Rice’s clever flick opened up the space for the finish, and it was also Rice who assisted Guimaraes’ first Arsenal goal away to Sunderland. The midfield pairing are clearly starting to build an on-field relationship.

Arsenal will now be looking to take that pairing back into Europe, with the Gunners to face Lille in the Champions League on Tuesday.

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