Bournemouth vs Arsenal live: Declan Rice brace powers Gunners to crucial comeback win in Premier League | OneFootball

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Related video: Mikel Arteta ‘so happy’ after Arsenal end Aston Villa’s winning run

Declan Rice’s brace powered Arsenal to a precious comeback victory over Bournemouth as Mikel Arteta’s side extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table to six points.

Gabriel went from zero to hero inside the early stages, delivering countryman Evanilson a late Christmas present by gifting the ball to the Bournemouth striker on the edge of the Gunners box after 10 minutes, who promptly fired past David Raya to give the Cherries the lead.

He then provided the finishing touch just six minutes later to level for Arsenal, hitting the back of the net after a passage of pinball in front of the hosts’ goal.

Rice fired Arteta’s side in front after the restart before doubling his tally and Arsenal’s advantage, and while Eli Junior Kroupi’s 76th-minute stunner set up a nervy finish at the Vitality Stadium, Arsenal managed the match’s climax well to see out the win.

How it leaves the Premier League table

Arsenal end the night a hefty six points clear of the closest challengers Aston Villa at the Premier League pinnacle and seven in front of Manchester City, who face Chelsea tomorrow.

Mind the gap.

(Getty Images)

Will Castle3 January 2026 22:00

Eli Junior Kroupi's instant impact

He’s been one of the breakout stars of the season and for good reason, with Eli Junior Kroupi making an instant impact off the bench to give Bournemouth hope.

It was a stunning finish, but in the end not enough to salvage a result.

(AP)

Will Castle3 January 2026 21:46

Is this it for Antoine Semenyo at Bournemouth?

Antoine Semenyo may have played his last game for Bournemouth, with the winger seemingly Man City-bound.

On his future, Cherries midfielder Lewis Cook said: "It's part of football. Players come and go, whatever happens with Semenyo.

“He's a top professional and gives everything for the team. We'll see what happens but we can reflect on today and take it into next week."

(AFP via Getty Images)

Will Castle3 January 2026 21:30

Mikel Arteta's post-match reaction

"It is very different context to the Villa game. We put ourselves into a very difficult position with the manner we conceded the first goal but what Gabriel has done was remarkable, he showed leadership and unity. We then grew into the game and scored two great goals,” Arteta told BBC Sport.

"Declan Rice was struggling the last few days but pushed and pushed and pushed and made himself available. He played 96 minutes, scored two goals and was one of the best players on the pitch. That is the mentality we need from all of us.

"The ones who came in did really well, that is what we need. All of the players are really consistent and it was against a team difficult to beat.

"We will learn from the first goal we conceded. It is the quality of the oppositon and sometimes you have to applaud that.

"We are still in January we have nine games this month so we will play game by game."