Declan Rice showcased why he’s a leading candidate for the Premier League’s Player of the Season, inspiring Arsenal to a come-from-behind victory at Bournemouth that opened up a six-point lead on Saturday.
The England midfielder netted two second-half goals – both almost identical low, side-footed finishes – in a thrilling 3-2 win on the south coast.
Rice had been a doubt for the match due to a knee injury that ruled him out of the 4-1 win over Aston Villa on Tuesday. However, he proved fit enough to return and was ultimately the difference between the two sides.
Arsenal fell behind in the 10th minute when Evanilson slotted into an unguarded net after intercepting a woeful pass out from the back by Gabriel Magalhães.
The Brazil centre-back made amends by lashing in the equaliser six minutes later, following a mazy run by Noni Madueke, for his second goal in as many starts since returning from six weeks out injured.
After Rice’s brace, a long-range strike by Bournemouth substitute Eli Junior Kroupi in the 76th minute made for a tense finale, but Arsenal held on to record a fifth consecutive win, keeping Villa and Manchester City at arm’s length in the title race.
Villa remain Arsenal’s closest challengers after a 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest.
Manchester City can return to second place, four points behind Arsenal, by beating Chelsea on Sunday.