From filling in at right back against Brighton to scoring twice a week later, with a knee injury sandwiched in between, Declan Rice defies logic at times.
It was the midfielder’s brace which got Arsenal over the line against Bournemouth, extending their lead to six points at the top of the Premier League.
The Cherries had caused Mikel Arteta’s side plenty of problems last season, winning twice. They were a nuisance this time around, too, though the Gunners did enough for a hard-earned three points.
Declan Rice struck twice for Arsenal against Bournemouth, showing his versatility
Arsenal’s dogged determination
The history between Evanilson and Arsenal stretches back to last season.
October 2024: a breakaway by the forward saw him pulled down by William Saliba, with the Frenchman sent off for denying a goal scoring opportunity. The Cherries went on to win 2-0.
In May last year, it was an Evanilson goal which earned Andoni Iraola’s side a 2-1 victory.
This time around, the Brazilian opened the scoring after an uncharacteristic Gabriel error which left the Gunners with pressing questions.
How would they react with Manchester City creeping behind them in the table? Would this be a third consecutive loss against Bournemouth?
In the end, they came back to win a match that last season they may have disintegrated in, away from at home at such an intimate ground.
Arsenal recovered after Gabriel’s error, displaying a determination which they may have lacked last season
It is these kind of games which went some way to derailing Arsenal’s title bid, losing against teams they were expected to beat and feeling bogged down after conceding.
Those signs were not there on Saturday night. This was a Gunners side which, despite the early setback, did not get deterred from the task at hand.
They had six shots in the first 18 minutes, followed by none in the rest of the first half, but looked for different avenues to get forward.
Martin Odegaard grew into the game from the middle, Rice got further up the pitch to great effect once Arsenal had gained control in the midfield areas.
Arteta said: ‘I really love today the next step of the team in terms of individual personality and presence. I think what Gabi Magalhaes has done after making a big mistake to concede the goal, the way he reacted to that, the way he played afterwards, the way he transmitted energy after that, it was remarkable. And Declan (Rice), another one.’
No wonder why Arteta was so effusive. This was a performance typified by ‘individual presence’, not succumbing to the pressure of going a goal behind.
That is sometimes what is needed on tricky nights like this — and Arsenal have it in many of their players.
Mikel Arteta was effusive in his praise for Gabriel, calling his response ‘remarkable’
Madueke defies doubters
The #NoToMadueke hashtag trending on X over the summer looks sillier as the season goes on.
When given the chance to play, Noni Madueke makes an impact more often than not. It’s that directness and fearlessness on the ball which Arteta brought him to the club for.
He took the place of Bukayo Saka, making just his sixth Premier League start this season.
It was a surprise change somewhat, but the depth of this Gunners squad is designed to allow key players a rest. That has been a major deficiency in previous seasons.
Besides, Madueke is hard to face. Against Club Bruges, the winger rampaged across the pitch, capping off his display with a stunning strike from outside the area.
And earlier in the season, the winger gave Man City’s backline problems as he darted at them with pace.
Those displays put the early struggles he caused Bournemouth into perspective as Madueke started impressively.
After eight minutes, Madueke slalomed past a couple of players from the right wing and found himself alone in the area. His left-footed strike went well wide.
Noni Madueke performed well standing in for Bukayo Saka, bringing fearlessness on the ball
Yet, it set the tone. Soon after, the ball found its way to Gabriel after Madueke’s run into the box resulted in Gabriel Martinelli’s saved strike.
The centre back struck to equalise for the north London club, a goal started by the England winger.
The Bournemouth midfield and defence quickly cottoned on to the issue and started to starve his supply which worked to an extent.
It took for Saka to come on in the second half to regain that flow on the right flank, assisting Rice’s second goal.
Madueke did quieten as the game went on but had already shown what he brings to the table.
He has a key role to play going forward this season.
Saka still had an impact when he came on in the second half, assisting Rice’s second goal
Rice shines again
What can Rice not do?
Arteta had challenged the midfielder to provide more in the final third this season; Rice is answering the call.
It’s why despite having had swelling around his knee just days ago, Rice was playing rather than being rested.
He couldn’t make the squad for their match against Aston Villa on Tuesday, but was somehow fit enough to face Bournemouth.
Arteta said: ‘He was so disappointed not to play against Villa. He really wanted it. He tried in the morning, he was nowhere near a possibility.
‘He wanted to train the next day, it wasn’t a possibility. Until the last minute I asked him, “How are you feeling?” He said, “I’m in”, and he showed that he was big time in.’
Rice will not be defined at the end of the campaign purely by how many goals he has struck. The defensive solidity he adds to the middle, his razor-sharp set-pieces and leadership qualities are invaluable to this team.
But if he can continue chipping in with goals, games like Saturday night will continue to result in wins. Plus, Arteta’s claim of Rice being one of the world’s best midfielders will be made even more concrete.
Rice is looking like one of the best midfielders in the world and brings great versatility
Have patience with Havertz
Having made the bench for Arsenal’s 4-1 thrashing of Villa after four months out injured, Kai Havertz did not travel with the squad to Bournemouth.
How he is integrated back into the squad going forward really is crucial.
The Gunners have suffered multiple injuries across most areas of the pitch. With Havertz not yet match fit, if he is rushed back, the consequences could be serious.
As Daily Mail Sport reported last month, the striker was one week away from returning to a matchday squad in November before suffering a setback in his final training sessions. That left him on target for a return of early to mid-January.
Having been out for four months, it’s understandable as to why there is an eagerness around his return.
Yet patience is needed.
