{"id":1422140,"date":"2026-01-03T19:28:03","date_gmt":"2026-01-03T19:28:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&p=1422140"},"modified":"2026-01-03T19:28:08","modified_gmt":"2026-01-03T19:28:08","slug":"post-match-analysis-bournemouth-vs-arsenal-03-01-26","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/post-match-analysis-bournemouth-vs-arsenal-03-01-26\/","title":{"rendered":"Bournemouth vs Arsenal stats and analysis: Declan Rice brace delivers huge title race message"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Arsenal made a huge statement in the Premier League title race as they came from behind to beat Bournemouth 3-2 on Saturday.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Cherries took a shock lead in the 11th minute at the Vitality Stadium as Gabriel inexplicably gifted the ball to compatriot Evanilson, who was left with a simple finish beyond the scrambling David Raya.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, Gabriel quickly made amends, with the centre-back firing home from close range after some excellent work down the right from Noni Madueke. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The second half was all about Declan Rice, who dispatched two accomplished finishes beyond Djordje Petrovic to seal all three points for Arsenal. Eli Junior Kroupi fired home a wonderful strike from the edge of the box in the 77th minute to pull Bournemouth back into the game, but it turned out to be nothing more than a consolation as Mikel Arteta’s men held on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Declan Rice steps up for Arsenal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To win a league title, you need your biggest characters to stand up in key moments, and Declan Rice certainly fits that bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The England international has been immense pretty much all season for the Gunners, but he may have had the biggest say yet in the title race here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rice popped up in the second half with not one but two hugely accomplished finishes, side-footing the ball beyond Petrovic with ultimate composure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The goals were just the tip of the iceberg as Rice put in a true leader’s performance, completing 49 of his 58 passes — including seven into the final third — while making three tackles, eight recoveries and three clearances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s the first time Rice has ever registered a brace in his career, and he picked the perfect time as Arsenal battled to overcome a stubborn Bournemouth team and, at least temporarily, go six points clear at the top of the league. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Martin Odegaard masterclass<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While Rice provided the big moments, it was Martin Odegaard who was the spark in the Arsenal midfield, and the Norwegian simply must be given the credit he deserves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Odegaard showed superb vision and awareness to lay the ball off to Rice for Arsenal’s second goal, despite his teammate making a run that started far behind him and out of his peripheral line of sight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Three of Martin \u00d8degaard's last five assists in the Premier League have been for Declan Rice. ?#BOUARS<\/a><\/p>— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) January 3, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>