BOURNEMOUTH, England — Arsenal secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over AFC Bournemouth on Saturday at the Vitality Stadium, extending their lead at the top of the Premier League to six points and keeping the pressure on rivals Manchester City in the title race. Declan Rice, the team's £105 million summer signing from West Ham United in 2023, delivered a match-winning brace in the 54th and 71st minutes, marking only the second time in his career he has scored twice in a single game. The win came despite Arsenal's shaky first half and a late scare from Bournemouth, who have now gone winless since October 26.
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal's manager, had kept Rice's availability under wraps during Friday's prematch news conference, describing the midfielder's status as uncertain due to a swollen knee that sidelined him for Tuesday's 2-0 win against Aston Villa. Rice not only started but proved pivotal, registering 80 touches and eight ball recoveries — second only to Bournemouth's Martín Zubimendi with 90 touches and 12 recoveries — while adding devastating contributions in the final third. His goals, both clinically placed into the corner, were set up by precise passes from Martin Ødegaard, who assisted the first directly and played substitute Bukayo Saka into position for the second.
The match began disastrously for Arsenal when defender Gabriel Magalhães passed straight to Bournemouth's Evanilson on the edge of his own box in the 10th minute, gifting the hosts an early lead. Goalkeeper David Raya was caught out of position, leaving Evanilson with a simple finish. Gabriel quickly atoned for his error, equalizing six minutes later with an excellent left-footed drive, but Arsenal struggled to find rhythm against Bournemouth's high press and aggressive attacking lineup.
Arteta was visibly agitated on the touchline, even by his standards, engaging in a lengthy exchange with the Bournemouth bench midway through the first half after Rice was felled in a challenge that went unpunished by referee Chris Kavanagh. The Gunners looked disjointed and careless in possession, forced onto the back foot by the hosts' intensity on a bitterly cold night. Bournemouth, managed by Andoni Iraola, pressed relentlessly, though they couldn't capitalize further before the break.
Arsenal improved markedly after halftime, dominating for about 30 minutes in what proved the decisive spell. Rice's emergence as a goal threat highlighted his evolution from a predominantly defensive No. 6 role at West Ham to a more advanced No. 8 position under Arteta. During the club's preseason tour of Singapore, Rice revealed he had set personal targets to boost his goals and assists, and in just 19 league appearances this season, he has already matched his entire tally of four from last term, which took 35 games.
"I have been in situations before where I have scored one in a game and wanted to score another and it hasn't happened, but now it has," Rice said after the match. "We are going to need everyone chipping in at different points so happy to help the team." His brace evoked memories of April's Champions League quarterfinal against Real Madrid, where he stunned the Spanish giants with two free kicks that entered club folklore.
The game turned tense again when substitute Junior Kroupi drilled a long-range effort past Raya to pull one back for Bournemouth, but the hosts couldn't muster another shot on target as Arsenal clung on. Fans serenaded Rice with chants of "Declan Rice in red and white, I like it" to the tune of KC & The Sunshine Band's "That's the Way (I Like It)" during much of the second half.
Arteta praised Rice's consistency and preparation in implementing his goal-setting ambitions. "We sit down together and set goals," Arteta said. "But setting goals is not enough. You need a plan after to implement and make it happen. He's extremely consistent in everything you ask him to do and everything he really wants to do. That's what makes the difference." The manager highlighted Rice's daily dedication, noting his ability and quality as key to such performances.
Bournemouth's frustrations extended beyond the scoreline. Iraola was vocal about referee Kavanagh's decisions, particularly a free kick awarded in the buildup to Arsenal's third goal and the final whistle blown with Antoine Semenyo poised to deliver a cross from a dangerous position. Semenyo, who barely impacted the game despite starting, is reportedly on the verge of a £65 million move to Manchester City, a bid the champions previously failed with for Rice. If this outing served as a pseudo-debut preview for City in the title race, it was one to forget quickly.
Arteta lauded the individual personalities on display, especially Gabriel's response to his early mistake. "I really love today the next step of the team in terms of individual personality and presence," he said. "I think what Gabi Magalhães has done after making a big mistake to concede the goal, the way he reacted to that, the way he played afterwards, the way he transmitted energy after that, it was remarkable. And Declan, another one." Every hour of Rice's recovery was crucial, Arteta added, as his availability — and subsequent impact — sent a strong message to the squad.
When asked if Rice is now among the world's best midfielders, Arteta was unequivocal. "Yes, for me," he replied. "For me, the ones that we have are the best, and Declan is constantly adding things to his game, constantly adding things to his role in the team and I don't see where he can stop because he can still improve in a lot of areas and he wants to improve. He is such a pivotal player for us." This assessment comes after Arteta's strategic vagueness in the news conference, underscoring his tactical gamesmanship.
Arsenal's victory, while not their most impressive, keeps them on course for a first league title in 22 years. They have done just enough to stay ahead of the pack, redirecting pressure toward City, who drew 1-1 with Everton earlier in the day. Rice's growing goal involvement could prove vital in the run-in, especially as Arsenal navigate a congested schedule that includes Champions League commitments.
The match also spotlighted Bournemouth's resilience despite their winless streak. Iraola's side, bolstered by loanees and impending transfers like Semenyo's, showed fight but lacked the clinical edge to overturn Arsenal's lead. As the Premier League season progresses into its festive phase, such gritty encounters highlight the fine margins defining the top of the table.
Looking ahead, Arsenal face Southampton in the EFL Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday before hosting Brentford in the league the following weekend. Rice's fitness will be monitored closely, but his performance at Bournemouth has reinforced his status as a cornerstone of Arteta's project. For Bournemouth, the focus shifts to salvaging their season and finalizing deals that could reshape the squad for the second half of the campaign.
In a league where every point counts, Arsenal's ability to grind out results amid imperfections bodes well for their ambitions. Rice's transformation from defensive shield to attacking catalyst exemplifies the depth Arteta is building, potentially tipping the scales in a fiercely contested title race.