Arteta: We had something to prove today

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reflected on his side's performance following their clash with Leeds United. The Spanish tactician analyzed their tactical setup, team selection, and key individual displays, asserting that the Gunners had a point to prove after their defeat to Brighton.

"Today we had two objectives. First, to rise to the challenge against a team unbeaten in the Premier League, and second, because we had something to prove. A part of our identity took a hit against Brighton, especially in how we reacted once we found ourselves in a difficult situation," Arteta began.

"Even though we started very well and were truly dominant, we didn't capitalize on the spaces, situations, and numerical superiority we had to attack their goal and the penalty box. We should have done much better, and that kept the game open. We knew Leeds don't need much to hurt you whenever they put the ball into the box—they are incredibly dangerous," he added.

The manager also explained his decision to start Noni Madueke out wide ahead of Eberechi Eze.

"I'm really pleased with him because he deserved the opportunity and grabbed it with both hands. When I wasn't as happy with what he was doing, or when Noni wasn't impacting games, I made certain decisions, and he accepted them. What he's done since then is raise his level, and he's been our best player in training over the last ten days. He left me with no choice but to start him," the Spaniard said.

In conclusion, Arteta praised the decisive impact of Bruno Guimarães, who came off the bench to secure the victory.

"The reality is that he traveled to Australia and India. He's still not in peak condition because he had no pre-season. He's done it [scoring off the bench] twice now—against Sunderland and now Leeds. That's the quality required at this level to keep winning games. He wasn't at that level against Brighton, and this is Arsenal's standard. Every week, every game, every minute, every action—you have to be at this level. Against Brighton he wasn't, and today was much better, but he can still be far more dominant in games based on what he's capable of. That's the standard we demand, and that's what I demand of myself. If we achieve that, it raises our ceiling and makes us a better team," Arteta concluded.