Mikel Arteta Praises Bruno Guimaraes After 'Special' Sunderland Display

Mikel Arteta praised the personality shown by Bruno Guimaraes after the midfielder came off the bench to help inspire Arsenal’s 2-0 win at the Stadium of Light.

Guimaraes was introduced at half-time as the game remained goalless to a stadium filled with boos from the home crowd.

Despite the hostile reception, the former Newcastle midfielder took little time for him to make his mark. The 28-year-old collected the ball outside the Sunderland penalty area before curling a superb effort beyond Robin Roefs and into the top corner, giving Arsenal the breakthrough they had been searching for.

Sunderland had the chance to take the lead early in the second half just two minutes earlier. The Black Cats a penalty for a battle between Konsa and Ballard, only for David Raya to deny Enzo Le Fée from the spot.

Arteta felt the circumstances made the midfielder’s contribution even more impressive.

“Unbelievable,” Arteta said.

“But again, the personality that he has. He comes in and this is a special game for him as well and what it means for him, how he grabs the game, the decision that he’s made.”

Guimaraes spent four-and-a-half years at Newcastle before joining Arsenal and was never likely to receive a warm welcome back to the Stadium of Light. But the atmosphere had no impact on the Brazilian midfielder, as he grew increasingly influential throughout the second half.

Arteta was not only impressed by the finish he produced.

“The two actions, the goal is incredible,” he said. “And the assist as well to Bukayo to put him through in front of goal, it’s unbelievable as well.

“So really impressed with him.”

Guimaraes had started Arsenal’s Champions League win over Napoli in midweek before returning to the bench at Sunderland, with Arteta reverting to the same starting XI that had beaten Chelsea in the Premier League.

Goalless at half-time, Arteta turned to his Guimaraes and Jurrien Timber to see if they could make the difference needed. His second-half display gave the Arsenal manager another reminder of the options available to him in midfield.

Asked whether Guimaraes was now pushing hard for a regular place in the starting XI, Arteta made clear he is not alone.

“They all are, to be fair,” he said.

“We had a really tough week, as I said, and they all played. They’ve all been really, really important and that’s what we’re going to need because every three days, to maintain this level, otherwise it’s impossible.”

That competition was expected after completing the £75 million signing of the Brazilian from Newcastle, whilst not moving on any of their midfield over the summer window. Arteta instead making changes between Premier League and Champions League games rather than relying on the same group throughout.

Guimaraes has had to be patient for some of his opportunities, but his impact at Sunderland could hardly have been more decisive.

Arsenal had found the game difficult before the break and were fortunate not to fall behind when Raya saved the penalty shortly after half-time.

By the time Guimaraes had been on the pitch for little more than 10 minutes, the shape of the evening had changed completely.

Bukayo Saka eventually added Arsenal’s second from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time, but it was Guimaraes who produced the moment that finally gave Arteta’s side control of a difficult night on Wearside.