Declan Rice marked his return from injury with two goals, leading Arsenal to a 3-2 victory over AFC Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium on January 3, 2026. The win extended Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League to six points, though the Gunners had to withstand late pressure from the Cherries.
Bournemouth had initially gone ahead in the 10th minute after Gabriel Magalhães misjudged a pass, allowing Evanilson to capitalize. Arsenal responded quickly, with Gabriel making up for his mistake in the 16th minute by equalizing with a powerful shot.
In the second half, Rice found the back of the net twice. His first came in the 53rd minute, after good work from Viktor Gyökeres, and his second followed a stunning run from Bukayo Saka, putting Arsenal ahead 3-1. However, Bournemouth threatened to spoil the party when Junior Kroupi scored a sensational goal in the 76th minute, but it was too late for a comeback.
Despite the loss, Bournemouth showed resilience and threatened throughout the match, but their winless run in the Premier League stretched to 11 matches. The defeat left them 15th in the table, while Arsenal’s victory moved them closer to securing a stronger position at the top.
Arsenal, with Rice’s standout performance, will next face Liverpool at home on January 8, while Bournemouth will meet Tottenham Hotspur on January 10.
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