Gunners Overcome Early Scare at Bournemouth to Move Six Points Clear in Title Race
Declan Rice delivered a match-winning performance on Saturday, scoring two second-half goals to fire Arsenal to a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Bournemouth and extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to six points.
The Gunners were stunned early at the Vitality Stadium when a misplaced Gabriel pass gifted Bournemouth’s Evanilson a simple 10th-minute opener. The defender redeemed himself just six minutes later, however, driving home an equalizer to settle the visitors’ nerves.
“We showed real character today,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said after the final whistle. “To concede like that and respond immediately was crucial. The mentality was top.”
The game turned decisively after halftime. Rice, arriving in the box with perfect timing, gave Arsenal the lead in the 54th minute, before sealing the win with a composed finish from a Bukayo Saka cut-back with just under 20 minutes remaining.
Bournemouth set up a frantic finish when substitute Eli Junior Kroupi scored a stunning long-range strike moments after coming on, but Arsenal held firm to secure three vital points.
The defeat extends Bournemouth’s winless league run to 11 games, leaving manager Andoni Iraola under increasing pressure. “We fought hard and showed quality, but the small details punish you against the top teams,” Iraola reflected.
For Arsenal, the victory sends a powerful message in the title race, opening a significant gap over Aston Villa and Manchester City ahead of a seismic clash with champions Liverpool at the Emirates on Thursday.
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