Rice double sends Arsenal six points clear after win at Bournemouth

Declan Rice scored two goals to put Arsenal six points clear at the top of the Premier League table via a 3-2 win over Bournemouth on Saturday.

Evanilson gave Bournemouth the lead in the 10th minute on England’s south coast, stroking home after an uncharacteristically sloppy pass from Gabriel Magalhaes.

Gabriel made up for his error just five minutes later, converting after Noni Madueke’s drive to the byline following a set-piece routine.

England midfielder Rice, who missed Arsenal’s thumping 4-1 win against Villa in midweek with a knee problem, side-footed the Gunners ahead in the 54th minute.

He gave Arsenal breathing space with about 20 minutes to go, producing a low finish from substitute Bukayo Saka’s cutback.

Junior Kroupi brought Bournemouth back into the game with a stunning right-footed finish that flew into the top corner.

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Arsenal held for a fifth straight Premier League win – keeping them firmly on course for a first English title since 2004.

The Gunners’ lead sits at six on Saturday but Manchester City could trim it to four should Pep Guardiola’s side beat managerless Chelsea on Sunday.

Bournemouth’s winless run stretches to 11 – and they could end up 16th by the end of the weekend.

Earlier, Aston Villa defeated Nottingham Forest 3-1, while West Ham slumped to a damaging 3-0 loss against Wolves.

Brighton also beat Burnley 2-0 to end a six-match winless run, courtesy of goals from Georginio Rutter and Yasin Ayari.

City host managerless Chelsea on Sunday while Liverpool and Manchester United are also in action.

The Star