Rice double fires Arsenal six points clear at the top of the table

6 days ago 2

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The best goalscorer in the Premier League is Erling Haaland, but is there a more complete footballing force in the division than Declan Rice?

The Arsenal midfielder continues to reach higher levels this season, having also done so in his previous two campaigns in north London, and is fast becoming the leading candidate for the player of the year award.

There have been a few match-winning performances from Rice this season and this was the most eye-catching yet, as he struck two goals in the second half to secure victory on a wild night in Bournemouth. It was his first brace in the Premier League, in his 296th appearance in the competition, and it extended Arsenal’s lead at the top to six points.

Manchester City will look to close that gap when they face Chelsea on Sunday but even Pep Guardiola’s serial winners will be concerned by the consistent brilliance of Rice. The 26-year-old is displaying a force of personality in midfield, and on this occasion a decisive touch in the penalty area, that allows him to shape games to his will.

To think, Rice produced this latest showing despite being forced out of the midweek victory over Aston Villa with a knee injury. He cannot have been fully fit here, but you would not have known that from his performance.

Arsenal’s other scorer was their other most physically dominant player: Gabriel Magalhaes. The centre-back gave Bournemouth’s Evanilson an early goal with the most foolish of errors, but he made it up for it with his own effort – and an excellent defensive performance in the second half.

Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth team continue to create uncomfortable, awkward matches for their opponents, but they also continue to fall short when it comes to securing a result. They were spirited and energetic here but their openness cost them in the second half, when Rice twice strode forward unmarked.

There are moments in every footballer’s life when the message from the brain simply does not reach the feet, for no discernible reason. Gabriel could watch his mistake back a thousand times and still not be able to explain why he passed the ball, under no pressure at all, straight to the feet of Evanilson after 10 minutes.

Was it an attempt to switch the ball to the other flank? Did he think Evanilson was David Raya, the Arsenal goalkeeper? Whatever the cause, it was a totally uncharacteristic malfunction from a player who had, until this trip to the south coast, succeeded in eradicating many of the silly errors from his game. The Brazilian is normally Arsenal’s most reliable defender.

Gabriel’s response to that error, which allowed Evanilson to convert the opener for Bournemouth, was far more in keeping with his character. Just six minutes later, he atoned for the mistake with a lashed finish inside the Bournemouth box, following excellent work by Noni Madueke on the right wing. Madueke, starting in place of the rested Bukayo Saka, scorched past two opponents as he darted into the penalty area.

Gabriel actually has form for this sort of thing: a few seasons ago, he was guilty of a similar error in a game against Fulham. Later in that game, he scored a dramatic winner. It is testament to his personality, perhaps, that he is so capable of instantly recovering from his own setbacks.

Encouragingly for Bournemouth, though, the Gabriel error was not the only one produced by Arsenal in the first half. Arteta’s side were unusually ragged in the opening exchanges, repeatedly surrendering possession to Bournemouth’s high-energy midfielders and forwards.

You would not have known in these moments that Iraola’s team came into this match on such a dismal run of form. Bournemouth had not won any of their last 10 league games, which represented their longest ever winless run in top-flight football.

If that was a pre-match concern for their supporters, they at least had the good news that Antoine Semenyo would be playing despite his imminent departure (likely to Manchester City). Some cynics might argue that it was doing City a favour, as much as Bournemouth, to keep Semenyo at the Vitality Stadium for this meeting with the league leaders.

As it turned out, Semenyo offered little threat. This was not a £65m performance from the winger. Evanilson was Bournemouth’s most impressive attacker, with Justin Kluivert and David Brooks also going close when Arsenal were at their most vulnerable.

The visitors were always likely to improve after the break and so it came to pass, with Martin Odegaard and Rice seizing control of the midfield and then the occasion. Odegaard’s return to form continued with another assist, as he gently rolled the ball into Rice’s path on the edge of the box. The steered finish was converted with typical conviction by the England midfielder.

Odegaard was involved again in Rice’s second, slipping a gorgeous pass in behind for Saka, who had recently entered the pitch as a substitute. Saka cut it back to Rice, allowing him to effectively produce the same side-footed finish again, but from closer range. He celebrated with a kiss for the camera.

Game over? Not quite. Iraola made attacking changes of his own, throwing Junior Kroupi into the action. The young forward reopened the contest with an excellent long-distance effort that scorched beyond Raya. The goal created nervousness for Arsenal, but Arteta’s side held firm on another night that belonged to their £105m midfielder.

07:50pm

Bournemouth’s Lewis Cook talking to Sky Sports

“Against a top, top side that are top of the league for a reason, we know we had to be at our best for 90 minutes of the game to get three points. I would say yes we were good in large spells of the game, we competed really well, unfortunately we could not get all the goals to come away with a point.”

On Bournemouth’s defence:

“Obviously Arsenal take their moments, they are a great, well-drilled team I do feel like when we are at our best we can compete with a team like that. I think we showed that today but it was not enough.”

Holding onto the positives:

“We are on a bit of a winless run but we have picked up points and had some good performances in a tough run and I think we have to reflect on them and take the positives.”

Rumours around Antoine Semenyo’s future:

“It is part of football. Players come and go, whatever happens with Semenyo. He is a top professional and gives everything for the team. We will see what happens but we can reflect on today and take it into next week.”

07:49pm

Post-match thoughts of Declan Rice

07:45pm

Jamie Redknapp on Sky Sports

“They are bringing on [Mikel] Merino towards the end, he is not looking round to bring in [Eberechi] Eze or [Myles] Lewis-Skelly to win the game 4-2, 5-2, he is looking at holding onto what he has got. That is the sort of manager he is, it is not going to be that expansive but they score three goals, it was not an easy game because Bournemouth make it very uncomfortable.”

07:43pm

Farewell or not?

It did not appear to be a definitive goodbye from Antoine Semenyo after the full-time whistle and Andoni Iraola did seem to indicate yesterday that he expected Semenyo to be involved against Tottenham in midweek.

Antoine Semenyo applauds the fans after the match

07:41pm

First double

07:40pm

Jamie Redknapp on Declan Rice

“Rice was immense. Two goals, so important, obviously that winning goal as well just gets into the box, he runs you into the ground with his energy. He puts people under pressure, he might not wear the captain’s armband but he is a leader.”

Declan Rice celebrates scoring a goal for Arsenal

07:37pm

Bournemouth’s next five matches

January 7: Bournemouth vs Tottenham (Premier League)
January 10: Newcastle vs Bournemouth (FA Cup)
January 19: Brighton vs Bournemouth (Premier League)
January 24: Bournemouth vs Liverpool (Premier League)
January 31: Wolves vs Bournemouth (Premier League)

07:35pm

Paul Merson on Sky Sports

07:34pm

Arsenal’s next five games

January 8: Arsenal vs Liverpool (Premier League)
January 11: Portsmouth vs Arsenal (FA Cup)
January 14: Chelsea vs Arsenal (League Cup)
January 17: Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal (Premier League)
January 20: Inter Milan vs Arsenal (Champions League)

07:29pm

This weekend’s fixtures

Today:
Aston Villa 3 Nottingham Forest 1
Brighton 2 Burnley 0
Wolves 3 West Ham 0
Bournemouth 2 Arsenal 3

Sunday:
Leeds vs Manchester United
Everton vs Brentford
Fulham vs Liverpool
Newcastle vs Crystal Palace
Tottenham vs Sunderland
Manchester City vs Chelsea

07:28pm

FT stats

Possession: Bournemouth 43%-57% Arsenal
Shots: 15-12
Shots on target: 3-5
Corners: 7-5
Touches in opposition box: 15-27

07:25pm

Full time

Semenyo, in what could be his final act as a Bournemouth player, will send a long throw into the box but Arsenal deal with it.

There is the final whistle and Arsenal hold on to claim all three points. Declan Rice’s double proving pivotal for Mikel Arteta’s side.

The Bournemouth players, coaches and fans are furious with the referee. The whistle went as soon as the ball was headed out of the box, even though it went straight to Semenyo on the left wing, who was about to put it back into the box. You do not normally see referees blow for full time with the ball still deep in the half.

07:24pm

90+5 mins: Bournemouth 2 Arsenal 3

Into the final added minute.

07:23pm

90+4 mins: Bournemouth 2 Arsenal 3

Arsenal are inching towards the three points, which would take them six clear of Aston Villa and seven clear of Manchester City, who play Chelsea tomorrow.

07:21pm

90+2 mins: Bournemouth 2 Arsenal 3

Arsenal are actually doing a pretty decent job of managing these final stages. They probably look more likely to get a fourth right now than Bournemouth are finding an equaliser.

07:20pm

90+1 mins: Bournemouth 2 Arsenal 3

Jesus has a shot from a narrow angle from the right side of the box but it is saved by Petrovic.

07:18pm

90 mins: Bournemouth 2 Arsenal 3

There will be six added minutes.

07:17pm

88 mins: Bournemouth 2 Arsenal 3

Time is running out for Bournemouth to find an equaliser. How many added minutes will we get? Five or six probably.

07:15pm

86 mins: Bournemouth 2 Arsenal 3

It has been a pretty even game and Bournemouth would be disappointed if they did not come away with something from this match.

07:13pm

84 mins: Bournemouth 2 Arsenal 3

Bournemouth have a free-kick out on the left as Adli is fouled by Timber near the touchline.

Cook takes but it is an absolute waste, way too high into the air and results in an easy catch for Raya. Andoni Iraola will be so frustrated with that wasted opportunity.

07:10pm

81 mins: Bournemouth 2 Arsenal 3

The Bournemouth fans are expressing their annoyance with the amount of time Arsenal are taking over long throws and set-pieces. It seems obvious to everyone what Arsenal are doing except the referee.

07:09pm

80 mins: Bournemouth 2 Arsenal 3

Mikel Arteta is going to respond to Bournemouth’s goal by making a defensive-minded change, taking off Odegaard and bringing on Merino.

07:07pm

78 mins: Bournemouth 2 Arsenal 3

Semenyo wins his side a corner and the home fans believe now they can get something from this game.

Cook swings in the corner and it looked like he was going for goal but finds the side netting.

07:04pm Key moments • Goals • Video

GOAL! Kroupi stunner gives Bournemouth hope

Maybe it is not game over. He is only just onto the pitch but he is straight into the action. He picks the ball up in a central position around 25 yards out and smashes one past Raya. A stunning finish and suddenly the hosts have some hope.

07:03pm

74 mins: Bournemouth 1 Arsenal 3

Bournemouth make a triple change as Cook, Unal and Kroupi replace Scott, Kluivert and Evanilson.

06:59pm Key moments • Goals • Video

GOAL! Rice at the double

Is that game, set and match at the Vitality? Odegaard feeds a ball forward into the right side of the box to pick out the run of Saka, who gets to it first. He cuts the ball back right into the path of Rice, who deploys a similar finish to his first and puts Arsenal 3-1 up. It is difficult to see Bournemouth coming back from this two-goal deficit.

06:58pm

70 mins: Bournemouth 1 Arsenal 2

Zubimendi is booked and he cannot really complain. The last touch comes off him and he know as he kicks the ball towards the advertising hoardings that the ball will bounce back onto the pitch, which delays the Bournemouth throw.

06:56pm

67 mins: Bournemouth 1 Arsenal 2

Andoni Iraola is bringing on Adli for Brooks. Kluivert is going to try and continue for now.

06:55pm

66 mins: Bournemouth 1 Arsenal 2

Mikel Arteta is going to make his first few changes of the night as Jesus, Trossard and Saka come on. Gyokeres, Martinelli and Madueke head off.

Kluivert is down in some pain, with an injury picked up actually fouling Zubimendi. He is receiving some treatment to his left knee.

06:50pm

61 mins: Bournemouth 1 Arsenal 2

Bournemouth are under pressure at the moment and having to defend their penalty area. They have to weather this storm or else if Arsenal get a third now that may be curtains.

06:47pm

58 mins: Bournemouth 1 Arsenal 2

Semenyo does well down Bournemouth’s right and plays a delicious ball across the six-yard box. He finds Brooks at the far post but his shot is blocked by Timber.

06:42pm Key moments • Goals • Video

GOAL! Rice puts Arsenal ahead

The visitors hit the front for the first time tonight. Odegaard lays the ball across to the edge of the penalty area into the path of Rice, who hits it first time. Rice priorities placement over power and he is repaid for that decision as he beats Petrovic with a great finish. The league leaders have come from a goal down to lead. Once more they score in the first 15 minutes after half-time.

It’s a lovely, steered finish by Rice. That’s the sort of goal he has added to his game since joining Arsenal from West Ham, although it was his first strike for a couple of months. Odegaard will be pleased with another goal involvement: he’s either scored or assisted in each of the last three games.

06:42pm

52 mins: Bournemouth 1 Arsenal 1

The hosts nearly retake the lead. They take a quick free-kick from inside their own half and Brooks is played in behind. The Welshman drives into the box and gets his shot away from a narrow angle but it goes just wide.

06:40pm

51 mins: Bournemouth 1 Arsenal 1

Arsenal have had most of the ball since the break but not done much with it. How much longer will Mikel Arteta leave it before deploying some changes? Andoni Iraola’s options meanwhile are more limited.

06:36pm

48 mins: Bournemouth 1 Arsenal 1

Sam Dean was suggesting Arsenal need to make some changes so when will Mikel Arteta turn to his bench? He has plenty of attacking options in reserve; Saka, Trossard, Eze and Jesus all ready to come on.

06:35pm

47 mins: Bournemouth 1 Arsenal 1

Arsenal have scored the most goals (11) in the 15-minute period immediately following half-time so Bournemouth need to be careful.

06:33pm

Second half

We are back under way at the Vitality Stadium. No changes for either side at the break.

06:28pm

Changes needed for Arsenal?

Arsenal are certainly uncomfortable here. They are not used to playing against teams as aggressive in their pressing. Even Manchester City, after all, played a deep block against Arsenal this season.

I suspect we’ll see Saka, Trossard and/or Jesus relatively soon.

06:25pm

HT stats

Possession: Bournemouth 37%-63% Arsenal
Shots: 8-5
Shots on target: 1-1
Corners: 4-1
Touches in opposition box: 8-12

06:17pm

Half-time

The first half is brought to a close and it is level at 1-1 at the break. Evanilson gave Bournemouth the lead thanks to Gabriel’s huge error but the Arsenal centre-back made amends minutes later to equalise for the visitors.

06:15pm

45 mins: Bournemouth 1 Arsenal 1

There will be two added minutes at the end of this first half.

06:15pm

43 mins: Bournemouth 1 Arsenal 1

Martinelli should do better there. He is played in down the left channel and spots the run of Madueke at the back post. A good ball and Madueke would have had a great chance but the pass across is weak and intercepted by Truffert.

06:11pm

41 mins: Bournemouth 1 Arsenal 1

Semenyo exchanges a one-two with Evanilson on the edge of the Arsenal penalty area but the former’s first-time shot balloons into the crowd. It did bounce a touch more than perhaps he thought but he did not keep the shot down anywhere near enough.

06:09pm

39 mins: Bournemouth 1 Arsenal 1

Rice clips in a cross from the left to the back post. It goes past everyone without a touch and goes behind for a goal-kick. It was a decent delivery from Rice that was begging for a touch towards goal.

06:06pm

35 mins: Bournemouth 1 Arsenal 1

Bournemouth have arguably been the better side since Gabriel’s equaliser and currently look the more likely to score next.

06:04pm

34 mins: Bournemouth 1 Arsenal 1

Senesi plays a lovely ball down the left channel to find Truffert, whose cross into the centre of the penalty area is headed behind by Gabriel for a Bournemouth corner. The hosts take it short and will now have another corner on the other side with the final touch coming off Rice.

Brooks’ inswinger is caught by Raya.

06:02pm

31 mins: Bournemouth 1 Arsenal 1

Chance for the hosts. Kluivert drives down the right and sends in a dangerous ball across the face of the six-yard box. As he did earlier in the half, Tavernier makes a great run into the box and gets on the end of the cross but he cannot guide his effort on target.

05:57pm

26 mins: Bournemouth 1 Arsenal 1

Semenyo, on what is his 100th and possibly final Bournemouth game, is booked for a foul on Hincapie. Semenyo did trip Hincapie but it did seem to be accidental rather than cynical so you would say that is the harsh side.

05:56pm

25 mins: Bournemouth 1 Arsenal 1

Evanilson is brought down by Gabriel not far outside the Arsenal penalty area in a central position. Will Bournemouth go for goal from distance or clip it into the box? Not the best angle for clipping it in so they may go for it from a fair way out.

Kluivert is standing over it and takes. His strike though goes wide of Raya’s right post and the Arsenal keeper looked to have it covered anyway.

05:53pm

23 mins: Bournemouth 1 Arsenal 1

Chance for Bournemouth. Hill clips in a cross from the right and puts it into a dangerous area. The delivery finds the run of Tavernier into the box but his header from 10 yards out goes wide. Decent opportunity.

05:46pm Key moments • Goals • Video

GOAL! Gabriel makes amends for error

Bournemouth’s lead did not last long. Madueke gets past Semenyo far too easily down Arsenal’s right. His ball across the six-yard box finds Hincapie, whose shot is blocked. Martinelli then has a shot blocked before the ball comes to Gabriel, who smashes home. VAR does take a look for a possible foul but it is cleared. 1-1.

That’s not the first time Gabriel has made up for a stupid error by scoring at the other end. He also did it against Fulham a few years ago. It probably says something about his mentality... or it’s a lucky quirk.

05:44pm

13 mins: Bournemouth 1 Arsenal 0

Bournemouth are not far off doubling their lead. Kluivert is afforded space in a central position around 25 yards out and decides to shoot. It is always curling away from goal but it goes inches wide of Raya’s left post. The Arsenal keeper was not getting across to that one but Kluivert just cut across it slightly too much.

05:41pm Key moments • Goals • Video

GOAL! Evanilson puts Bournemouth ahead after huge Arsenal error

The hosts hit the front and it is rather comical from Gabriel. Arsenal are in possession deep inside their own half and Gabriel makes a huge error, just passing it across the face of his own box straight into the path of Evanilson, who cooly slots home past Raya, who could not get across in time to make the save. An absolute gift from Gabriel. What was he doing?

It’s a nightmare for Gabriel, the returning hero against Aston Villa in midweek. You can see the anguish on his face. Evanilson will not score an easier goal this season.

Funnily enough, in this fixture last year it was Saliba who had the evening to forget when he was shown a straight red.

05:39pm Key moments

8 mins: Bournemouth 0 Arsenal 0

That is a big chance for Madueke and he probably should have put Arsenal ahead. He receives the ball out on the right and is afforded too much space by Truffert. Madueke is allowed to carry the ball into the box and cut onto his left foot. He has a wonderful opportunity to place it into the far corner but instead opts for power, blasting it into the stands.

05:36pm

5 mins: Bournemouth 0 Arsenal 0

Arsenal have now begun to settle and after an initial flurry from the hosts, it is now the visitors who are starting to initiate some control on the game.

05:33pm

2 mins: Bournemouth 0 Arsenal 0

Play is exclusively taking place deep in the Arsenal half thus far, with Semenyo at the heart of it. Bournemouth have already had one corner and a long throw into the box and now have another corner, which Arsenal clear. A positive start for the hosts.

05:30pm

Kick-off

We are under way on the south coast. Will Arsenal extend their lead at the top or can Bournemouth secure a first league win in 11 games?

05:26pm

Nearly ready for action

Both sides emerge from the tunnel and we are just moments away from kick-off at the Vitality Stadium. Here is a reminder of the teams:

Bournemouth: Petrovic, Jimenez, Hill, Senesi, Truffert, Scott, Tavernier, Brooks, Kluivert, Semenyo, Evanilson.
Substitutes: Forster, Cook, Soler, Smith, Diakite, Adli, Kroupi, Unal, Rees-Dottin.

Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard, Madueke, Martinelli, Gyokeres.
Substitutes: Kepa, White, Saka, Jesus, Eze, Norgaard, Trossard. Merino, Lewis-Skelly.

05:23pm

Andoni Iraola on Antoine Semenyo

05:20pm

Jamie Redknapp on Sky Sports

05:18pm

Pre-match thoughts of Mikel Arteta

05:15pm

Arsenal’s last five results

Arsenal 4 Aston Villa 1 (Premier League)
Arsenal 2 Brighton 1 (Premier League)
Arsenal 1 Crystal Palace 1 (League Cup, Arsenal won on penalties)
Everton 0 Arsenal 1 (Premier League)
Arsenal 2 Wolves 1 (Premier League)

05:12pm

Sky Sports crew on Saliba and Gabriel

05:10pm

Unhappy memories

Arsenal fell to a 2-0 loss at Bournemouth in this fixture last season, with William Saliba (pictured below in the middle) being sent off in the first half.

05:07pm

Bournemouth’s last five results (all Premier League)

Chelsea 2 Bournemouth 2
Brentford 4 Bournemouth 1
Bournemouth 1 Burnley 1
Manchester United 4 Bournemouth 4
Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0

Andoni Iraola’s side are in fact without a win in their last 10 league games.

05:03pm

100 and out for Semenyo?

Antoine Semenyo is in the Bournemouth starting lineup tonight in what could be his final game for the club. Could he cause Arsenal to drop points tonight before joining Manchester City in the coming days?

04:58pm

Thom Gibbs: The best transfers in Premier League history

6. Patrick Vieira (1996)

Arsène Wenger’s first Arsenal signing had only made five appearances for AC Milan after emerging at Cannes. Had captained that team as a 19-year-old but Wenger could not have foreseen the influence he would have over his first great team. Vieira won the Premier League and FA Cup double two years after arriving, then again in 2002 before captaining the “Invincibles” in 2003-04. The Frenchman is mostly remembered for his combative qualities in midfield, but it was his playmaking abilities which marked him out initially, setting the template for the Premier League’s modern central midfielder: all-action, imposing, inexhaustible and lacking any obvious weakness.

04:49pm Analysis

Opportunity beckons for Madueke

Interesting that Mikel Arteta has rested both of his first-choice wingers tonight, with Saka and Trossard both dropping to the bench. It’s a big opportunity for Noni Madueke, who is making only his second Premier League start since September. He was excellent against Club Brugge in the Champions League a few weeks ago, scoring twice.

04:44pm

Jamie Carragher: My Premier League, Champions League and World Cup predictions for 2026

Who will win the 2026 Premier League title?

Arsenal. They have the best squad, and everything is in place for them to end a 22-year wait. If they do it, it will be built on the spine of the team and solid foundations laid by their goalkeeper, centre-backs and Declan Rice.

But it’s not going to be straightforward, as their recent form shows. There is an ongoing problem of a worrying injury record. For some reason, they always seem to be more impacted than their main title rival and it’s started to happen again.

Manchester City do not have the same quality on the bench as Arsenal, but when Pep Guardiola has his best starting XI available they can embark on a title-winning run, especially with Erling Haaland in electrifying form. City are reminding me of Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United. There were occasions when United were not always playing the best football in a particular season, but they had that know-how about how to win the league, so if they were still in the hunt in late March they would get the job done. If City are still within touching distance of Arsenal by then, Guardiola will be confident and Arsenal – especially their fans – will be nervous. That could yet be a decisive factor.

04:38pm

Visitors in the house

04:35pm

Hosts arriving

04:33pm

Two 3pm games

There are a couple of games coming into the closing stages. At Molineux, Wolves look set for their first win of the Premier League season as they lead West Ham 3-0, which will pile more pressure on Nuno Espirito Santo. Meanwhile on the south coast, Brighton are 2-0 up at home against Burnley. You can follow the final stages of those matches right here.

04:30pm

Full team news

Bournemouth name an unchanged side which drew 2-2 at Chelsea in midweek. Antoine Semenyo starts for the hosts amid strong links with a move away this month.

Arsenal make three changes from the side that beat Aston Villa 4-1 in the week. Declan Rice, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli come into the starting XI with the likes of Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard on the bench.

Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard, Madueke, Martinelli, Gyokeres.
Substitutes: Kepa, White, Saka, Jesus, Eze, Norgaard, Trossard. Merino, Lewis-Skelly.

04:23pm

This weekend’s fixtures

Today:
Aston Villa 3 Nottingham Forest 1 FT
Brighton 2 Burnley 0 (65’)
Wolves 3 West Ham 0 (61’)
Bournemouth vs Arsenal

Sunday:
Leeds vs Manchester United
Everton vs Brentford
Fulham vs Liverpool
Newcastle vs Crystal Palace
Tottenham vs Sunderland
Manchester City vs Chelsea

04:16pm Key moments

Arsenal team

04:15pm Key moments

Bournemouth team

04:11pm

Team news incoming

We are not far away from finding out the starting XIs down at the Vitality Stadium. For the hosts, the big question is whether Antoine Semenyo will start. Andoni Iraola said yesterday that Semenyo will play today. If he is going to join Manchester City in the coming days, have they left it for a few days so that he can play against their title rivals today? What if he gets injured? All the questions will be answered.

04:05pm

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03:58pm Key moments

Will Arsenal extend their lead at the summit?

The Premier League weekend continues down on the south coast as Bournemouth host league leaders Arsenal at the Vitality Stadium. Bournemouth completed the league double over Arsenal last season, winning 2-0 in this fixture before claiming a 2-1 victory at the Emirates.

Arsenal kept top spot after an emphatic 4-1 home victory over Aston Villa in midweek. After Manchester City’s draw at Sunderland on New Year’s Day, Arsenal were four points clear at the top halfway through the season, although that was cut to three earlier today after Aston Villa’s win over Nottingham Forest earlier, with the chance to go seven clear of Manchester City before they play Chelsea tomorrow. The January transfer window is now open and Mikel Arteta has been asked about whether his side will look to do business during this window.

Gabriel celebrates scoring for Arsenal against Aston Villa

“We are open to every option. We can find a solution that is short, medium and long; it is always much better, it gives you stability and you do not start a new process with the players. Let’s see what happens, what the news is in the next few weeks and we will make the right decision.”

Arteta has confirmed that Riccardo Calafiori and Cristhian Mosquera remain out.

Bournemouth were involved in a chaotic game in midweek, claiming a point in a 2-2 draw at Chelsea but that does mean they remain without a Premier League win in 10 games. Antoine Semenyo has been strongly linked with a move away from the club but Andoni Iraola has confirmed that Semenyo will be available for this match.

“Yes, Antoine is going to play in this match. I think the idea at least that he is going to be available in these two home games in a short turnaround. I hope he can be here for more time. But I do not know what is going to be happen. That is not the idea [that it is Semenyo’s last match]. The market is open, you never know what is going to happen. I cannot control things, but right now I do not think so.

Antoine Semenyo with the ball in his hands during Bournemouth's game against Chelsea

“There is nothing signed. For sure there are conversations, I understand the noise around but Antoine is our player. I hope to keep him for a lot of time, I want to keep him for a lot of time. He is playing very well. He is doing the right things, a top professional and top guy. He wants to help the team and team-mates, I have no doubts that he will do his best, there are no doubts with him.”

Team news to follow shortly.

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