First PL double 

©IMAGO

There were doubts about Arsenal’s decision to spend €116.6million to sign Declan Rice two and a half years ago. But it’s fair to say those dissenting voices have gradually died down as the England international continues to spearhead the Gunners’ Premier League title pursuit. Sidelined in their 4-1 win over Aston Villa, the 26-year-old returned for the away trip to Bournemouth and delivered a marvellous second-half performance as Mikel Arteta’s side clinched a vital 3-2 win on the South Coast.

The game began in bizarre fashion for Arsenal and Gabriel Magalhães. Christmas may have been and gone 10 days ago, but the Brazilian was clearly still in a giving mood after his uncharacteristic error handed the hosts a shock early lead. The central defender simply didn’t look up when passing the ball from the left-hand side and instead gave it to his compatriot Evanilson, who slotted home into the empty net with David Raya’s scramble across the goalmouth in vain.

The frustration was palpable for Gabriel. For a defender usually so assured in possession, that blind pass could have been so costly to Arsenal in their pursuit of a first domestic title in 22 years. But true leaders respond to setbacks with determination, rather than defeat, and that’s exactly what the 28-year-old did at the Vitality Stadium. Instead of licking his wounds, the centre-back found himself in the opposition penalty area and drilled home after the bounced around off several players. Redemption complete.

Some questions have been raised about Arsenal’s performances this season, but few can argue about their resilience. When the chips have been down, Arteta’s men have dug out important results – starting from the very first game of the season against Manchester United back in August when they won 1-0 at Old Trafford, despite being clearly second-best. Gabriel and Rice have played a big role in those comebacks, leading by example on the pitch. It was fitting, then, that both would get on the scoresheet.

Viktor Gyökeres showed great strength to hold up the ball before laying off to Martin Odegaard, who had the vision to pick out Rice and his sublime 20-yard effort found the bottom corner. With 72 minutes on the clock, Rice got his second of the game after a brilliant run and cutback from Bukayo Saka, with the midfielder sweeping the ball home to grab his first Premier League brace on his 296th appearance. But it wasn’t just his attacking efforts, he tirelessly ran from box to box all evening in freezing conditions, which just about sums up the €120m-valued star’s persona.

Eli Kroupi’s wonderful effort put their position under question, but the visitors shut up shop and protected their lead without too much bother. On a day where Aston Villa closed the gap at the top to three points, and ahead of Manchester City’s crunch game with an out-of-sorts Chelsea on Sunday, winning was the only thing that mattered to Arsenal and Rice as they march on with a six-point lead at the top.