"They needed him here. Arsenal were disjointed and especially careless in possession in a first half in which Arteta -- even for him -- was especially agitated on the touchline, engaging in a lengthy exchange with the Bournemouth bench midway through after Rice was felled in an unpunished challenge. Gabriel Magalhães had gifted Bournemouth a 10th-minute lead by passing straight to Evanilson on the edge of his own box. David Raya was inevitably caught out of position and Evanilson was left with a simple finish."
"Gabriel atoned for his error with an excellent left-footed drive to equalize six minutes later, but Arsenal still couldn't settle, hassled and harried by Bournemouth's high press and an attacking lineup that forced the visitors onto the back foot. They improved for around half an hour after halftime, and this proved the decisive period when Rice came to the fore."
Mikel Arteta guarded team news to mask Declan Rice's fitness after a swollen knee. Rice missed the Aston Villa win but started at the Vitality Stadium and scored twice to deliver a 3-2 victory that put Arsenal six points clear. Arsenal were disjointed and careless in the first half, with Gabriel Magalhães gifting a 10th-minute goal before equalizing himself. Bournemouth's high press troubled the visitors, but Arsenal improved after halftime. Rice registered high touches and recoveries and finished clinically from Martin Ødegaard's build-up play.
Read at ESPN.com
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