Arsenal would not be top without ´one of the best in the world´ Gyokeres, claims Rice

Declan Rice stressed that Arsenal would not be top of the Premier League if not for the efforts of Viktor Gyokeres.

The Gunners moved, at least temporarily, six points clear at the summit thanks to a 3-2 win over Bournemouth on Saturday.

Rice scored twice, while Gyokeres has now gone nine matches without a goal from open play.

The Sweden international played an important role in Rice’s first goal, but has scored just five times himself in the league this season following his big-money switch from Sporting CP.

Rice, however, was full of praise for his team-mate.

He said: “It’s tough for him, because he’s got two defenders on him all game, all over him.

“So he has to use his strength, he has to do all he can to help the team and with my first goal, without him making that run from Gabriel Martinelli’s flick and holding it, setting it off to Martin [Odegaard], that goal wouldn’t happen.

“That was a pivotal moment in the game for us to turn the game on its head.

“I see how hard he hits a ball, and when that space arrives for him and the ball’s arriving at his feet to score goals, he will 100% score.

“But at the minute, defenders in the Premier League want to be able to stop Viktor, because he’s one of the best strikers in the world.

“Trust me, he’s doing unbelievably for us, and we wouldn’t be where we are without him.”