Arsenal withstand Bournemouth's late surge as Declan Rice shines - 6 key moments
Arsenal managed to overcome a late challenge from Bournemouth, maintaining their six-point lead at the top of the Premier League table. The Gunners made a comeback to win 3-2, with two crucial goals from Declan Rice in the second half proving decisive.
Bournemouth took an early lead when Gabriel Magalhaes made a mistake, allowing Evanilson to capitalize on his misplaced pass. However, Gabriel quickly redeemed himself by equalizing for the visitors just six minutes later.
Rice's brace seemed to secure the victory for Arsenal, but Bournemouth's late goal from Eli Junior Kroupi, who came on as a substitute, created a tense finish. The Gunners had to work hard to maintain their lead and ensure they extended their position at the summit of the league.
Mikel Arteta was pleased to have Rice available for the match, as it was a surprise that he started after missing the previous game against Aston Villa due to a knee injury. Bukayo Saka was kept on the bench, likely to conserve energy for the upcoming match against Liverpool.
For Bournemouth, this could be the last chance for Antoine Semenyo to play for the club before he is expected to move to Manchester City for £65 million. His departure is anticipated soon, though it might happen after the team faces Tottenham on Wednesday.
Talking Points from the Match
- Gabriel's six minutes of mayhem
In what felt like a Christmas gift for Bournemouth, Gabriel Magalhaes made an uncharacteristic error early in the match, giving away a goal. However, he quickly made amends by scoring within six minutes, showing great composure and skill.
- Arteta fumes after Semenyo escapes sending off
Semenyo almost faced a red card during the match, but the decision to not send him off angered Arteta. He expressed his frustration with the referee and the Bournemouth coaching staff. Additionally, the first-half performance of Arsenal's players was lackluster, leading to a draw at halftime.
- Comeback complete
Rice's goal was a result of excellent teamwork and timing. A long ball from Jurrien Timber led to a series of actions that culminated in Rice scoring. This goal marked the completion of the comeback, although the victory was not yet secured.
- Another game goes begging for Gyokeres
Viktor Gyokeres has struggled to find the back of the net this season, with only seven goals in total. Despite being a high-profile signing, he has not been given enough chances by his teammates. With other players returning to form, his position in the starting XI is under threat.
- Rice doubles up
Rice scored his first Premier League brace of the season when he converted a pass from Saka. This goal highlighted his importance to the team and his ability to make a significant impact in crucial moments.
- Bournemouth's late hope
Kroupi provided Bournemouth with a late spark, scoring a goal shortly after coming on. His performance was impressive, and it added tension to the final stages of the match. However, Arsenal managed to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
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