Arsenal needed to restore their identity, claims Arteta

Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal needed to rediscover their identity in order to defeat Leeds United.

Arsenal went into the international break on the back of a 3-0 loss at Brighton.

But the Premier League champions got back to winning ways at Emirates Stadium on Saturday, with Riccardo Calafiori and Bruno Guimaraes clinching a 2-1 victory.

Arsenal did not have it their own way, though. They were poor for the first hour, and fell behind to James Justin's strike, before Calafiori and Guimaraes struck in the space of eight minutes.

"Before the game we talked about two things," Arteta told TNT Sports.

"One, the challenge ahead because Leeds had not lost in the Premier League and it was going to be really tough. And [the] second one, to restore our identity and be ourselves again, regardless of the context of the match.

"We weren't pleased against Brighton and this was an opportunity to put that right. We certainly reacted in the manner we expected."

Arsenal had five shots in the 15 minutes following Leeds' opener, including their two goals to put them ahead.

They had only had five shots in the opening 55 minutes before Leeds scored.

Arsenal are the first team to win two games from behind in the Premier League this season, also coming back from 1-0 down to beat Chelsea 2-1 in their last fixture at home.

"After three weeks away, 16 players out on international duty, after the defeat against Brighton, there was still something in the tummy, something that we had to prove what we are made of. We had to prove it against a team that are difficult to beat," Arteta told BBC Sport.

"We overcome all the situations with unbelievable spirit, a lot of quality as well, and with the finishers coming in and helping us to win the game."

Both of Guimaraes’ Premier League goals for Arsenal, meanwhile, have been from outside the box, and come as a substitute. They have also been both been assisted by Declan Rice, and have put Arsenal in the lead. He is the first player to score twice from the bench this season.

"That only happens when the player on the bench understands the role of the day and is able and ready to impact the pitch like he has done. It's the best way to talk," Arteta said of the Brazilian.

Leeds, meanwhile, lost a Premier League game in which they opened the scoring in the second half for the first time since October 1992 (1-2 vs Queens Park Rangers).

"Gutted for my lads because they showed an excellent performance. I'm heartbroken that we didn't take anything away. But also proud because we played excellent in the first half," Daniel Farke told BBC Sport.

"I said at half-time, if we have more clarity and belief in our situations, then we can win this game. We went for it, even to score the second goal, we had the momentum on our side, but Arsenal are the reigning champions. One of the best teams, if not the best team in Europe – this means one of the best teams in the world.

"Even with little details they are able to capitalise. All credit goes to them, they found a way to turn this game."