Arsenal find new cheat code as Bruno Guimaraes explains Mikel Arteta role in Declan Rice link-up

Mikel Arteta has got his hands on a new cheat code, which is already bearing fruit in the early stages of the Premier League title race.

Bruno Guimaraes and Declan Rice have become a cheat code for Arsenal in tough games. Together, they dragged the Gunners to a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon, combining well on the edge of the box to bank three crucial points in the Premier League title race.

Shortly after Riccardo Calafiori levelled proceedings, Martin Odegaard launched another assault on the visitors' backline, clipping the ball down the left channel into Bukayo Saka. The Hale End graduate pulled James Justin out of position, clearing a corridor to the edge of the box for his captain to run into.

Saka returned the pass to Odegaard, who then fed Rice once he had drawn in several defenders. In the meantime, Guimaraes, unmarked, had been following the play; he was eventually rewarded for his movement when his midfield partner flicked the ball into the 'D' on the edge of the box.

Without needing to take a touch to compose himself, the former Newcastle United skipper smashed the ball into the near bottom corner. Arsenal managed to hold onto the lead and secure three huge points in the early stages of the Premier League title race.

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Interestingly, each of Guimaraes' goals for the Gunners in the English top flight has come from outside the box, as a substitute, and assisted by Rice to put his side into the lead. It's no coincidence either.

Since his Premier League debut in February 2022, only Eberechi Eze and Phil Foden have scored more goals from outside the box than the Brazil international, who bagged his ninth strike from range at the weekend. Guimaraes netted his eighth earlier this term and first showed signs of a blossoming partnership with the Englishman during the 2-0 win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

During an interview with club media after the game, the Brazilian explained the role Arteta played in his latest goal. Guimaraes said: "Mikel always tells us to never stay in the same position and always try to disorganise the other team.

"I think we did that very well. When Dec set the pass for me, the first thing in my mind was: ‘I can't miss this, I can't miss this, I have to score!’ It was a great finish, a great goal and a great moment for everyone."

Arteta was very complimentary of the two midfielders in his post-match press conference. When quizzed on Guimaraes, the Arsenal boss said: "Every week, every game, every minute, every action, you have to be at that level.

"And at Brighton, he wasn't, and today, he was much better, and he can still be much better in the games that he's done, and that's what we have to demand.

"This is what I demand to myself: I'm going to demand the same with the players. Because if we do that, you will raise the standards, and we will be a better team."

And on Rice, Arteta said: "I went to him and said, and it's a private conversation, but you are not the lighthouse anymore; you are something else.

"At the end of the season, I can tell you what, where I want to take him, but he's not the lighthouse anymore. He's something else, and he needs to prove that on the pitch."