Bruno Guimaraes: ‘I can’t wait to score more goals’ after Arsenal heroics

Bruno Guimaraes declared he “can’t wait to score more goals” after marking his first official appearance at the Emirates Stadium with a decisive strike that rescued Arsenal’s title defence.

The Brazil international, introduced as a second-half substitute, sealed a 2-1 Premier League comeback victory over Leeds United on Saturday, ending the visitors’ unbeaten start and lifting the champions level with Manchester City at the top of the table.

Arsenal had looked laboured after their 3-0 defeat at Brighton before the international break. Leeds took a deserved lead in the 55th minute when James Justin slammed home from Gabriel Gudmundsson’s low cross. Riccardo Calafiori restored parity seven minutes later, converting Ben White’s headed knockdown from close range.

Mikel Arteta then turned to his bench, sending on Guimaraes alongside Viktor Gyokeres and Jurrien Timber. Within minutes the £75m summer signing from Newcastle made the difference. A slick move involving Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice ended with the midfielder’s clever backheel setting up Guimaraes on the edge of the box. The Brazilian swept a precise low finish into the far corner for his second Premier League goal of the season — both coming as a substitute and from outside the area.

“I felt amazing and I can’t wait to score more goals now,” Guimaraes said afterwards. “It was very loud when I scored. I want to hug them [the Arsenal supporters] for everything they have been doing for me. I can feel their love.”

The 28-year-old admitted the occasion carried special weight. Injuries had delayed his competitive home debut — he missed the Coventry and Chelsea fixtures — leaving him “desperate” to play in front of the Emirates crowd. “This is my first official game at home and I feel unbelievable to score an important goal and get three important points,” he told TNT Sports. “When I’m on the pitch, I give my best to give a little headache for the manager.”

Arteta acknowledged Guimaraes had not reached the required standard in the Brighton loss but praised the response. The midfielder’s impact underlined Arsenal’s squad depth as they pursue another title, with a Champions League home clash against Lille next on the agenda.

“I’m very excited about the big games we have ahead now,” Guimaraes added. “Now the focus is to celebrate a little bit and start to think about Lille. It’s going to be amazing, my first Champions League game at home.”

For a player who arrived as a warrior determined to win trophies and make history, the roar that greeted his first Emirates goal suggested the relationship with the Arsenal faithful is already mutual. More goals, it seems, cannot come soon enough.