Arsenal Extend Top-Flight Lead to 6 Points Thanks to Rice’s Match-Winning Display

Rice Returns From Knee Injury to Score Brace, Leads Arsenal to 3-2 Comeback Win Over Bournemouth; Extends Premier League Lead to 6 Points.

Declan Rice, who overcame a knee injury, returned to the starting lineup and scored two composed goals to lead Arsenal to a 3-2 comeback victory over Bournemouth, extending the Gunners' lead at the top of the Premier League table to six points. A rare error from Gabriel Magalhaes allowed Bournemouth's Evanilson to score an early opener, but Gabriel quickly redeemed himself by equalizing with a finish from a deflected cross.

Rice, who had missed Arsenal's previous match due to knee swelling, found the net twice around the hour mark, doubling his goal tally for the season. Although Eli Kroupi's strike briefly reignited Bournemouth's hopes, Arsenal controlled the closing stages comfortably to move seven points clear of Manchester City, who still have a game in hand.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised the team's character, singling out Gabriel's resilience following his early mistake and highlighting the squad's growth as well as the significance of the win. Deployed in a more advanced role this season, Rice put Arsenal ahead with a finish from Martin Odegaard's pass before sealing the win by converting Bukayo Saka's cut-back. Despite the defeat, Bournemouth remain one of the higher-scoring teams in the league this term, though their winless run has now stretched to 11 games.

#Premier League #Arsenal #Declan Rice #Mikel Arteta #Comeback Win