Gunners star inspires win at Bournemouth on his return from injury and is lauded by Mikel Arteta
Football writer Dan Edwards looks at the impact of Declan Rice following his two goals in Arsenal’s 3-2 win at AFC Bournemouth and what the victory means for the title race.
Make no mistake, this was a huge battle for Arsenal and one that pushed them to their absolute limit.
It bore resemblance to Manchester City’s draw at Sunderland on New Year’s Day – not in goals, but in the fierceness and physicality of their opponents and the backbone required not to relent.
The difference here is that Arsenal left the Vitality Stadium with three points, while Man City headed home from the Stadium of Light with one.
This is where titles are won and lost, and Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will have learned this the hard way while coaching his side to three consecutive runners-up finishes in the Premier League over the last three seasons.
This is where great players step up, and Declan Rice proved beyond all reasonable doubt today that he is one.
His match-winning performance – despite being “touch and go” after missing the midweek win against Aston Villa with a knee injury – showed his incredible strength of character.
“Every hour for him was important to be able to be available today,” said Arteta. “We didn’t know for how long [he could play for], so in the manner that he competed, played and on top of that scored two goals, I think it was outstanding and a really big message for the team.
“He was so disappointed not to play against Villa. He really wanted it. He tried in the morning, he was nowhere near a possibility.
“He wanted to train the next day, it wasn’t a possibility. Until the last minute I asked him [before Bournemouth], ‘How are you feeling?’ He said, ‘I’m in.’ And he showed that he was big time in.”
Midfield greats
Roy Keane, Patrick Vieira, Frank Lampard and Kevin De Bruyne. These are just some of the names we can expect Rice to be compared to when his career ends.
These are the players who take the reins in the tough moments to win games that were balanced on a knife’s edge. These are the players who win Premier League titles.
When asked after the match whether Rice is one of the best midfielders in the world, Arteta replied: “Yes, for me. For me the ones that we have are the best. Declan is constantly adding things to his game. He’s constantly adding things to his role in the team.
“I don’t see where he can stop because he can still improve in a lot of areas and he wants to improve. He’s such a pivotal player for us.”
Bournemouth had taken a lead in the 10th minute after Gabriel Magalhaes’ scuffed pass arrived perfectly at the feet of Evanilson.
With Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya situated to the left of his own goal to supply his central defender with an additional choice of recipient, Evanilson was free to plant the ball in the opposite corner.
Gabriel made amends for a rare error only six minutes later when bringing Arsenal back level following the second phase of a cleared free-kick.
Noni Madueke, starting ahead of Bukayo Saka on the right, skipped past Antoine Semenyo before driving into the box and playing the ball across goal.
Three Arsenal players attempted a shot on goal – Gabriel’s was the third effort, and he scored with it.
Bournemouth did incredibly well to contain Arsenal in open play throughout the rest of the first half, but the Gunners were a different beast after half-time.
Rice to the rescue
This is when Rice truly took hold of the game, scoring twice in the space of 17 minutes.
Watch: Rice’s incredible performance v Bournemouth
A pass into the final third from Jurrien Timber was won well in the air by Gabriel Martinelli, and after recipient Viktor Gyokeres was finally dispossessed in the box, the ball fell to the feet of Martin Odegaard on the edge of the box.
Sensing an opportunity, Rice darted from a deeper midfield position to position himself directly on the edge of the box.
Odegaard, noticing his team-mate’s run in the corner of his eye, laid the ball off perfectly for Rice to sidefoot home with a low and powerful effort.
There was equally adept movement for his second goal, when a well-worked combination on the right culminated with substitute Saka on the edge of the six-yard box before pulling the ball back for an unmarked Rice to fire home once more.
This was Rice’s 296th appearance in the Premier League, but the first in which he scored more than one goal in a match.
“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,” he told BBC Match of the Day.
“We are going to need everyone chipping in at different points, so I’m happy to help the team.”
It is worth mentioning that Rice is only afforded the opportunity to risk this many forays into attacking positions because of the situational intelligence of his team-mates, and none more so than Martin Zubimendi, whose reading of the game is arguably unmatched across the Premier League.
Bournemouth did not give the game up without a fight. French youngster Junior Kroupi, only shortly after coming off the bench, reduced the deficit to one goal when scoring from long range in the 76th minute.
Arsenal refused to buckle, though, allowing only two more shots during the game’s denouement, both of which were blocked at source.
There were many top performers across both teams, but Rice was a deserving man of the match.
Two goals, 14 defensive contributions, the second-most distance covered of any Arsenal player, and the second-most sprints of any Arsenal player.
As usual, a masterful all-round performance from one of Europe’s top all-rounders.
Indeed, Rice’s wide-ranging influence across the pitch is arguably unmatched at the top level. He is on the podium for a long list of metrics for his club in league action this season.
His seven combined goals and assists in the Premier League this season are surpassed only by Leandro Trossard (nine). His 33 tackles are beaten only by the 46 of Timber. No team-mate can match Rice’s 188 progressive carries.
How Rice ranks for Arsenal in 25/26
Statistic
Total
Arsenal rank
Minutes
1,609
3rd
Goals
4
2nd
Assists
3
2nd
Goals + assists
7
2nd
Completed passes
1,039
2nd
Line-breaking passes
142
1st
Chances created (inc. assists)
32
2nd
Passes into opp. box (inc. crosses)
146
1st
Expected Assists
3.4
2nd
Progressive carries
188
1st
Poss. won
96
1st
Tackles
33
2nd
Interceptions
18
2nd
This level of impact wins games on a consistent basis, and he knows just how important today’s win was to keep Arsenal at the top of the table.
“Massive” was the word Rice used when interviewed by Sky Sports after his match-winning effort.
“Off the back of Aston Villa, the key thing today was to build on that and go and win. The win against Aston Villa would’ve meant nothing if we didn’t come here today and pick up anything.”
Huge Liverpool test next
Arsenal now turn their attentions to Thursday night, when they host Liverpool at Emirates Stadium in what is sure to be another tough battle.
Liverpool may have slipped in quality since last season’s title-winning campaign, but it is worth remembering they are one of only two teams to defeat the Gunners this season, beating them 1-0 at Anfield in August.
“It’s so important, this time of year,” Rice continued.
“The schedule’s crazy, the games come thick and fast, and if you can win your games in and around Christmas, on top of what we’ve done already, it’s going to put you in a really good position.
“We’ve got to keep building on that, keep the mentality right, keep pushing, but we’re in a really good spot at the minute. Long may it continue.”