Rice’s Brace Powers Arsenal to Victory Over Bournemouth

Declan Rice propelled Arsenal to a commanding six-point lead at the top of the Premier League table with two goals against Bournemouth on October 29, 2023. The match, held at the Vitality Stadium, saw Arsenal withstand a late surge from Bournemouth, particularly following a stunning strike from Eli Junior Kroupi.

In a dramatic start, Arsenal found themselves on the back foot after an early error from Gabriel Magalhaes. His misplaced pass allowed Evanilson to open the scoring for the Cherries in the 10th minute. However, Gabriel quickly redeemed himself by scoring the equaliser just six minutes later. The Gunners regained control after the break when Rice, returning from injury, netted his first goal of the match following a precise pass from Martin Odegaard. He doubled his tally in the 71st minute, courtesy of a smart cut-back from substitute Bukayo Saka. Despite Kroupi’s impressive strike in the 76th minute, Arsenal held on for the win.

Player Ratings Overview

The performance of Arsenal’s squad varied throughout the match, with key players stepping up when needed. Below are the ratings for the Gunners against Bournemouth, as compiled by SunSport’s Simon Collings.

David Raya – 6
Raya could not be faulted for the opening goal but was beaten again by Kroupi’s long-range effort.

Jurrien Timber – 7
Timber effectively contained Bournemouth’s David Brooks, making crucial tackles and contributing positively to Arsenal’s attack.

William Saliba – 7
Saliba played a vital role in stabilising the defence after an early shaky phase, successfully handling Evanilson throughout the match.

Gabriel Magalhaes – 6
Magalhaes had a tumultuous match, marred by his error leading to Bournemouth’s goal. His equalising goal, however, was crucial.

Piero Hincapie – 6
Hincapie filled in at left-back and performed solidly defensively, albeit lacking the attacking threat of his injured teammate, Riccardo Calafiori.

Martin Zubimendi – 6
Zubimendi faced a challenging game, often finding himself outnumbered in midfield and receiving a yellow card for his efforts.

Declan Rice – 9
After passing a late fitness test, Rice made an immediate impact, scoring twice and showcasing his defensive capabilities.

Martin Odegaard – 8
Odegaard was instrumental in Arsenal’s attack, assisting Rice’s first goal and combining effectively with Saka.

Noni Madueke – 7
Madueke started his first Premier League match in a month, contributing to the attack and playing a part in the opening goal.

Gabriel Martinelli – 5
Martinelli struggled to influence the game after replacing Leandro Trossard, leading to his substitution with 20 minutes remaining.

Viktor Gyokeres – 5
Despite retaining his place in the starting lineup, Gyokeres’ performance was largely inconspicuous, leading to concerns over his suitability for the upcoming fixtures.

Substitutions Impact

Substitutes also played a role in the match dynamics.

Bukayo Saka (on for Madueke, 67 mins) – 7
Saka’s introduction injected energy into the team. His assist for Rice’s second goal was a testament to his impact.

Leandro Trossard (on for Martinelli, 67 mins) – 6
Trossard aimed to bolster Arsenal’s presence down the left flank but did not significantly affect the game.

Gabriel Jesus (on for Gyokeres, 67 mins) – 6
Jesus worked hard off the bench, providing support in attack and helping relieve pressure late in the game.

Mikel Merino (on for Odegaard, 80 mins) – N/A
Merino had limited time to make an impact after coming on late in the match.

Arsenal’s victory reinforces their position at the top of the Premier League, showcasing resilience and depth within the squad. With Declan Rice back in form, the Gunners will look to build on this momentum as they prepare for their next challenge.