Rice doubles down to keep Arsenal's title push in focus

Declan Rice scored a second-half brace as Arsenal fought from behind to complete a thrilling 3-2 win against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.

- PHILIP DUNCAN

Evanilson took advantage of Gabriel’s misplaced pass to put Bournemouth ahead after just 10 minutes. However, the centre-back atoned for his error when he struck back just six minutes later.

Rice, who missed his first Premier League game of the season with a knee injury in Arsenal’s 4-1 rout of Aston Villa on Tuesday, then put the Gunners ahead after 54 minutes before adding a second with 19 minutes to go.

Eli Junior Kroupi landed a brilliant strike from range just five minutes later to provide Mikel Arteta’s side with a nervy finish, but the visitors held on to move six points clear of Villa.

Bournemouth started November second only to Arsenal, but they are now 11 matches without a victory - their longest winless streak in the top flight - and sit just three places above the relegation zone.

The Cherries are also poised to lose their top scorer this month, with Antoine Semenyo – despite completing 90 minutes here – seemingly bound for Arsenal's title rivals Manchester City.