3 standout players from Arsenal's hard-fought 3-2 win over Bournemouth

Arsenal had to be at their resilient best to hold off the Bournemouth fightback and claim a vital 3-2 Premier League win.

The hosts ran out 2-0 victors here last term and enjoyed a great start to go ahead just ten minutes in via Evanilson. However, this Gunners unit proved their top-class mentality thereafter as they replied with three fine strikes to take charge of the contest.

3 of the standout names for Arsenal as they overcome Bournemouth 3-2 in the Premier League

Eli Junior Kroupi struck late on to tee up a grandstand finish but the Gunners would not let their lead slip here, doing just enough for a fifth straight PL triumph that puts them six points clear at the top of the table (for now).

Here are three standout Arsenal names from the Cherries win.

1. Gabriel

‘Big Gabi’ embodied a host of Christmas cliches on the south coast.

It was his awful miskick which gifted Bournemouth the opener – a present to make even Santa Claus blush. However, he became an Angel Gabriel of sorts six minutes later by firing home a leveller after a bit of pinball in the Cherries box.

Aside from that redemptive arc, though, Gabriel did so much more to earn his spot in this list. Yes, he responded well to the early setback by scoring, but he also impressed with his clear communication, marshalling his teammates at every defensive juncture, while he did ever so well to head away a cross from Adrien Truffert in the first half.           

His willingness to take charge and organise – though a collective effort – played a key role in limiting the home side to just one shot after the Kroupi Jr. goal; a point in the game when momentum really could have swung in the Cherries’ favour.

Gabriel cannot stop scoring; fans just need his return to, likewise, herald the return of some backline solidity of old before long.

2. Martin Odegaard

Fears had grown that Martin Odegaard was not good enough to retain his place in the Arsenal team but recent showings have put such unease to bed.

It turns out he was just rusty before and, since recovering from a knee injury, the captain has shown his full range of talent. Even if the execution lacked during the first half, his intent was often positive and everything clicked for him after the break: he did well to pick out Declan Rice for the second goal and sent Bukayo Saka in behind to assist the Gunners’ third.

Odegaard found his range as the game wore on and it powered Arsenal to an important win against a fired-up Bournemouth. His influence both on and off the ball cannot be questioned and it is growing now that he is back racking up the minutes.

Save some for the Liverpool match!

3. Declan Rice

You would never guess he had a knee problem.

Injury forced Declan Rice out of the Aston Villa game on Tuesday but he recovered for the trip to the Vitality Stadium and proved his class.

Like Gabriel, he will win most plaudits for scoring a first-ever PL brace (in fairness, both strikes were well taken). Yet it was his all-round contribution which ought to enthuse fans as he shone brightly in midfield.

Rice won four duels in the engine room in addition to his winning back possession on eight occasions and three clearances, that busybody nature of his being a key reason why Bournemouth failed to do much damage after making it 3-2.

One suspects 90 minutes was not ideal for him so soon after the Villa match/injury. However, Rice is never one to shirk responsibility for helping his team and he truly stepped up to the plate to ensure Arsenal maintained their fine form.

Rice is cooking.