Rice revels in goalscoring heroics during ´massive´ Bournemouth win

Declan Rice labelled Arsenal’s 3-2 victory over Bournemouth as “massive”, as the Gunners tightened their grip on the Premier League title on Saturday.

Rice starred for Arsenal with his two second-half goals enough to render Junior Kroupi’s late stunner a consolation, as Mikel Arteta’s side moved six points clear at the summit.

Bournemouth had taken the lead in the 10th minute through Evanilson after Gabriel Magalhaes’ mistake, though the defender atoned for his error with an equaliser soon after.

But in what was his 296th Premier League appearance, Rice rose to the occasion to net his first ever brace in the competition and seal the Gunners’ 15th win of the campaign.

Indeed, Arsenal are now the 16th Premier League team to win 15 or more of their first 20 games in a season, with only four previous sides failing to win the league in that campaign (Arsenal in 2022-23, Liverpool and Spurs in 2018-19, and Manchester United in 2003-04).

The Opta supercomputer has assigned them a huge 81.6% chance of lifting their first top-flight title since 2003-04, and Rice believes his team’s latest triumph has only pushed them closer to achieving their goal.

“Massive. Off the back of Aston Villa, the key thing today was to build on that and go and win,” he told Sky Sports.

“The win against Aston Villa would’ve meant nothing if we didn’t come here today and didn’t pick up anything. It’s so important this time of year, the schedule’s crazy.

“The games come thick and fast and if you can win your games in and around Christmas, on top of what we’ve done already, it’s going to put you in a really good position.

“We’ve got to keep building on that, keep the mentality right, keep pushing, but we’re in a really good spot at the minute. Long may it continue.”

2 – Declan Rice has scored his first ever brace in the Premier League, on what is his 296th appearance in the competition. Evolution. pic.twitter.com/1MYVZ1YFeY

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 3, 2026

Rice has also now scored five times in 12 Premier League games against Bournemouth, more than double the goals he has scored against any other opponent in the competition.

It marked a fine return to the Arsenal line-up for the England international, who missed the Gunners’ thumping midweek win over Aston Villa with a knee injury.

“Another player who has put so much in the past few days to make himself available today, we didn’t know how long,” Arsenal boss Arteta added.

“He has stretched himself to the very limit, and the team were awarded with two great goals.

“I think it’s the first time he’s scored two in a Premier League game, so yes, a great day to remember.”

Bournemouth, meanwhile, saw their winless stretch in the Premier League extend to 11 matches, but they put in an impressive display against the league leaders.

However, a familiar theme cost them again. Bournemouth have failed to win eight league games this season when scoring two or more goals (D5 L3), twice as many as any other side in the competition.

But the Cherries are at least getting entertainment, with their Premier League games having seen 69 goals (31 for and 38 against), at least seven more than any other team’s matches in the competition this season.

Despite their display, Andoni Iraola’s overriding emotion was one of frustration.

“It is a feeling we’ve had a lot lately,” he said. “We do a lot of good things, but go away with one point or no points.

“Today, we conceded three goals against Arsenal, but they have not had a lot of chances. Overall, it was quite a level game.

“We were better in the first half, but Arsenal had the better of the second half. It is very difficult to score two against Arsenal, but to finish without a point is frustrating.

“We have to be very good to get just one point. Arsenal found a way to win it, and that is costing us a lot.”