Former Sunderland striker Don Goodman has praised an Arsenal man who showed “incredible awareness” alongside Declan Rice against Bournemouth.
Rice plays Arsenal role ahead of Bournemouth
Rice scored a second-half brace as Arsenal fought from behind to claim a thrilling 3-2 victory over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
Evanilson capitalized on Gabriel’s misplaced pass to give Bournemouth the lead after just 10 minutes. However, Gabriel atoned for his mistake by hitting back six minutes later.
Rice, who missed his first Premier League game of the season with a knee injury in Arsenal’s 4-1 defeat to Aston Villa on Tuesday, then put the Gunners ahead after 54 minutes before adding a second with 19 minutes remaining.
Eli Junior Kroupi landed a brilliant strike from distance five minutes later to give Mikel Arteta’s side a nervy finish, but the visitors held on to take a six-point lead over Villa.
Bournemouth started November second behind Arsenal, but they are now 11 matches without a win – their longest winless streak in the top flight – and sit just three places above the relegation zone.
The Cherries are also set to lose their top scorer this month, with Antoine Semenyo – despite 90 minutes here – seemingly destined for Arsenal’s rivals Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola’s side will have the chance to reduce Arsenal’s advantage to four points when they host Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
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Arsenal are in a strong position and can afford to be picky in the winter transfer market.
Next up, Arsenal face visiting Liverpool as they look to make another title statement. Despite facing a stuttering Liverpool side, the Gunners will be well aware that the current champions will be keen to hurt whoever is next in line for the throne.
Again, this is a game that Rice could prove crucial, but as against Bournemouth, he is not the only one who can play.
Goodman praises ‘incredible’ Odegaard
After a disappointing 2025 on an individual basis, Martin Odegaard scored his first goal from open play in 2026 and continued his involvement against Aston Villa last time out.
While Rice grabbed the headlines with his brace, it was the £240,000-a-week midfielder who earned Goodman’s praise in Sky Sports commentary when he assisted his teammate’s first goal of the evening.
“Another team talk and another goal. Gyokeres does well, he is strong and doesn’t allow the Bournemouth defenders to clear. It’s an incredible realization from Odegaard to know that Rice is there.”
By the time the Arsenal captain left the field after 80 minutes, he had an assist to his name and a performance worthy of keeping Eberechi Eze out.
|
Odegaard v Bournemouth |
Statistics |
|---|---|
|
Minutes |
80 |
|
Aids |
1 |
|
Passes into the final third |
8 |
|
Tackles |
3 |
After a number of injury problems, to say it would give Arsenal the ultimate boost if Odegaard returned to his best form would be an understatement. At its best, it’s simply unplayable.
