JuicyTalk
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised his side for restoring their identity after coming from behind to beat Leeds United in the Premier League on Saturday.
The Gunners fell behind in the early kick-off at the Emirates Stadium but recovered to secure an important victory against a Leeds side who had arrived in North London unbeaten in the league this season.
Arteta admitted he had been unhappy with Arsenal’s previous performance against Brighton and challenged his players to produce a response.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, the Spaniard insisted his squad had delivered exactly the reaction he wanted, reserving particular praise for the substitutes who helped turn the game around.
“Before the game we talked about two things,” he said.
“One, the challenge ahead because Leeds had not lost in the Premier League and it was going to be really tough.
“And second one, to restore our identity and be ourselves again, regardless of the context of the match.
“We weren’t pleased against Brighton and today was an opportunity to put that right. We certainly reacted in the manner we expected.”
Arsenal substitutes praised for changing Leeds clash
Arteta highlighted Arsenal’s equaliser as the moment that shifted the momentum of the match.
With Leeds having taken the lead in the lunchtime kick-off, the home crowd needed a response from their team.
“When you play 12:30 at home and you go 1-0 down, you have to restore a lot of things,” Arteta explained.
“The energy is one of them. We had a incredible response, you could sense the crowd, the energy changed immediately.
“The finishers come in and made a huge difference to help us win the game.
“We bring a lot of leadership on in those three players,” he said.
“Goal threat, players that can win duels, can play forward and penetrate against this high press.”
