Title Year? Declan Rice Double Helps Arsenal Get 2026 Off To Positive Start | Watch

Arsenal went six points clear at the top of the Premier League on the back of their 3-2 victory at Bournemouth on Saturday as a brace from Rice and another goal from Gabriel helped Mikel Arteta’s side

edge out Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium, as goals from Evanilson and Eli Junior Kroupi proved futile.

Evanilson opened the scoring for the Cherries in the 10th minute, but Arsenal defender Gabriel equalised six minutes later, netting from close range after the ball kindly dropped for him. The teams entered the break level, but the second half provided multiple moments of excitement.

Rice put Arsenal ahead for the first time in the 54th minute, slotting the ball into the net after Martin Odegaard found him inside the box. He then doubled the Gunners’ lead in the 71st minute with a similar strike, this time following a pass from Bukayo Saka.

Declan Rice was everywhere against Bournemouth 🏃‍♂️@Arsenal 🔴 pic.twitter.com/vsP3iKB9Ox

— Premier League (@premierleague) January 3, 2026

Junior Kroupi scored for Andoni Iraola’s side in the 76th minute, making for a tense final quarter hour. However, Arteta’s men held on to their advantage, securing a six-point lead over second-placed Aston Villa, who climbed the table following their triumph over Nottingham Forest earlier in the day.

Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, pushed to third, have a game in hand against Chelsea on Sunday. A victory over the Blues, who will be without Enzo Maresca, would allow City to reclaim second place and close the gap to Arsenal to four points.