Rice returns to secure Arsenal victory over Bournemouth | OneFootball

Arsenal might not have needed Declan Rice to beat Aston Villa in midweek, but they certainly did against Bournemouth. 

Rice returned to the Gunners starting 11, after missing the 4-1 thumping of Aston Villa with a knee injury, to score twice for his side in their 3-2 victory at the Vitality Stadium. 

The Gunners got off to the worst possible start by going a goal down on ten minutes, and Evanilson could not have wished for a better opportunity to score just his third Premier League goal of the season.  

Gabriel Magalhães has established himself as arguably Arsenal’s most dependable player under Mikel Arteta, but cost his side dearly when, under no pressure, he blindly played a ball directly to the Cherries striker in front of goal for an easy finish. 

You had to see it to believe it, and even then it was difficult to grasp just what Gabriel was thinking. It was completely uncharacteristic for a player that has barely put a foot wrong in the last three-and-a-half seasons. 

But good players always find a way to bounce back, and that is exactly what the Brazilian did just six minutes later, firing in an equaliser after Arsenal had twice seen shots blocked in the box following a mazy dribble from Noni Madueke, starting in place of Bukayo Saka on the right-wing. 

The relief felt by the 28-year-old following his earlier error was evident through his passionate celebration, and the Arsenal fans responded by loudly chanting their central defender’s name. 

Bournemouth did not look like a side that had not picked up a single win in their last ten league games, causing Arsenal problems with their physicality and direct approach, and David Brooks spurned a good chance from a tight angle early in the second half after racing through on David Raya’s goal. 

But Rice would fire the visitors into the lead just moments later. Still not fully fit, with his inclusion in the starting 11 a late call from Arteta, the England midfielder curled into the bottom corner from the edge of the box after being teed up by Martin Odegaard. 

Rice was not done there though, adding a second when substitute Saka cut the ball back for his international team-mate to slot into the net for an easy finish to set up what should have been a much more comfortable ending to the game for Arteta’s side. 

Cherries substitute Junior Kroupi ensured that was not the case, however, smashing a superb strike past a diving Raya from outside the box, just moments after coming on, to set up a nervy ending for Arsenal. But, once again, they found a way to win.