Declan Rice’s brace powered Arsenal to a precious comeback victory over Bournemouth as Mikel Arteta’s side extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table to six points.
Gabriel went from zero to hero inside the early stages, delivering countryman Evanilson a late Christmas present by gifting the ball to the Bournemouth striker on the edge of the Gunners box after 10 minutes, who promptly fired past David Raya to give the Cherries the lead.
He then provided the finishing touch just six minutes later to level for Arsenal, hitting the back of the net after a passage of pinball in front of the hosts’ goal.
Rice fired Arteta’s side in front after the restart before doubling his tally and Arsenal’s advantage, and while Eli Junior Kroupi’s 76th-minute stunner set up a nervy finish at the Vitality Stadium, Arsenal managed the match’s climax well to see out the win.
Relive all the action from Bournemouth vs Arsenal in our live blog below:
Bournemouth vs Arsenal live
- Arsenal survive Bournemouth scare to seal comeback win in Premier League
- The Gunners extend lead at top of table to six points
- 76' GOAL! Kroupi stunner sets up nervy climax [BOU 2-3 ARS]
- 71' GOAL! Rice gets his second after wonderful work from Saka [BOU 1-3 ARS]
- 54' GOAL! Rice finishes ruthless Gunners break [BOU 1-2 ARS]
- 16' GOAL! Gabriel gets his moment of redemption to level [BOU 1-1 ARS]
- 10' GOAL! Gabriel gifts Bournemouth lead as Evanilson fires home [BOU 1-0 ARS]
How it leaves the Premier League table
Saturday 3 January 2026 22:00 , Will CastleArsenal end the night a hefty six points clear of the closest challengers Aston Villa at the Premier League pinnacle and seven in front of Manchester City, who face Chelsea tomorrow.
Mind the gap.
Eli Junior Kroupi's instant impact
Saturday 3 January 2026 21:46 , Will CastleHe’s been one of the breakout stars of the season and for good reason, with Eli Junior Kroupi making an instant impact off the bench to give Bournemouth hope.
It was a stunning finish, but in the end not enough to salvage a result.
Is this it for Antoine Semenyo at Bournemouth?
Saturday 3 January 2026 21:30 , Will CastleAntoine Semenyo may have played his last game for Bournemouth, with the winger seemingly Man City-bound.
On his future, Cherries midfielder Lewis Cook said: "It's part of football. Players come and go, whatever happens with Semenyo.
“He's a top professional and gives everything for the team. We'll see what happens but we can reflect on today and take it into next week."
Mikel Arteta's post-match reaction
Saturday 3 January 2026 21:15 , Will Castle"It is very different context to the Villa game. We put ourselves into a very difficult position with the manner we conceded the first goal but what Gabriel has done was remarkable, he showed leadership and unity. We then grew into the game and scored two great goals,” Arteta told BBC Sport.
"Declan Rice was struggling the last few days but pushed and pushed and pushed and made himself available. He played 96 minutes, scored two goals and was one of the best players on the pitch. That is the mentality we need from all of us.
"The ones who came in did really well, that is what we need. All of the players are really consistent and it was against a team difficult to beat.
"We will learn from the first goal we conceded. It is the quality of the oppositon and sometimes you have to applaud that.
"We are still in January we have nine games this month so we will play game by game."
Declan Rice on whether he will watch Man City vs Chelsea
Saturday 3 January 2026 21:00 , Will Castle"I didn't watch the Sunderland game,” he told Sky Sports, referencing City’s goalless draw with the Black Cats on New Year’s Day.
“If I have the time I might watch it. But I’m just focusing on us at the minute, I know it’s cliché but there are so many games and we can’t get too caught up on what others are doing."
Gabriel's 'zero to hero' outing
Saturday 3 January 2026 20:30 , Will Castle
Bournemouth's woes continue
Saturday 3 January 2026 20:15 , Will CastleBournemouth have lost 16 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season, more than any other team.
Tonight makes it 11 league games without a win for Andoni Iraola.
Report: Arsenal stave off Bournemouth to surge six points clear at top of Premier League
Saturday 3 January 2026 19:58 , Will CastleDeclan Rice scored a second-half brace as Arsenal fought from behind to complete a thrilling 3-2 win against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
Evanilson took advantage of Gabriel’s misplaced pass to put Bournemouth ahead after just 10 minutes. However, Gabriel 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.
Arsenal stave off Bournemouth to surge six points clear at top of Premier League
Arsenal come from behind to beat Bournemouth
Saturday 3 January 2026 19:45 , Will Castle
Controversy at the death
Saturday 3 January 2026 19:33 , Will CastleYou have to feel for Bournemouth at the end there.
Referees don’t usually blow if an attacking phase is still in play as the clock ticks over, but that’s exactly what Chris Kavanagh did there when Antoine Semenyo’s long throw came back out to him.
He blew on 96 on the do to a furious reaction from the Cherries players and manager Andoni Iraola. And given the fact Arsenal were taking their sweet time over every stoppage of play to barely a complaint from the official, you can’t blame them.
A sour end to what was a really fun game of football.
FULL-TIME! Bournemouth 2-3 Arsenal
Saturday 3 January 2026 19:31 , Will CastleDeclan Rice’s brace powered Arsenal to a precious comeback victory over Bournemouth as Mikel Arteta’s side extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table to six points.
Gabriel went from zero to hero inside the early stages, delivering countryman Evanilson a late Christmas present by gifting the ball to the Bournemouth striker on the edge of the Gunners box after 10 minutes, who promptly fired past David Raya to give the Cherries the lead.
He then provided the finishing touch just six minutes later to level for Arsenal, hitting the back of the net after a passage of pinball in front of the hosts’ goal.
Rice fired Mikel Arteta’s side in front after the restart before doubling his tally and Arsenal’s advantage, and while Eli Junior Kroupi’s 76th-minute stunner set up a nervy finish at the Vitality Stadium, Arsenal managed the match’s climax well to see out the win.
FULL-TIME! Bournemouth 2-3 Arsenal
Saturday 3 January 2026 19:26 , Will CastleThe ball is headed out by Rice back to Semenyo... but he won’t get another chance to deliver!
The whistle blows and Arsenal seal a crucial win!
Bournemouth 2-3 Arsenal
Saturday 3 January 2026 19:25 , Will Castle90+6 mins: One last long throw opportunity. The goalkeeper is up...
Bournemouth 2-3 Arsenal
Saturday 3 January 2026 19:24 , Will Castle90+5 mins: As a forward ball doesn’t fall for Bournemouth again. running through to Raya, Adli tries to run into Gabriel’s arm and win a dubious penalty.
The referee isn’t having any of it.
Bournemouth 2-3 Arsenal
Saturday 3 January 2026 19:23 , Will Castle90+4 mins: Arsenal win a corner and aim to keep it there, before conceding a goal-kick.
Bournemouth need to get this up the other end.
Bournemouth 2-3 Arsenal
Saturday 3 January 2026 19:21 , Will Castle90+2 mins: Jesus gets into the box and forces Petrovic into a smart stop.
The Gunners look the more likely to score again at this rate.
Bournemouth 2-3 Arsenal
Saturday 3 January 2026 19:20 , Will Castle90+1 mins: Six minutes added on.
Bournemouth just lumped a few long balls towards the Arsenal box, all of which were dealt with before Adli conceded a silly free-kick, easing pressure off of the visitors.
Adli is booked for his troubles.
Bournemouth 2-3 Arsenal
Saturday 3 January 2026 19:18 , Will Castle89 mins: Arsenal are managing this game really well - they’ve been perfect since Bournemouth’s second went in.
Their best form of defence is possession in the opposition final third and they’ve been doing that brilliantly - a bit like how they did against Everton a couple weeks back.
They get another shot off through Saka, who fires over the bar.
Bournemouth 2-3 Arsenal
Saturday 3 January 2026 19:16 , Will Castle87 mins: Trossard shoots and sees his effort deflected for a corner.
The centre-backs are coming up. Arsenal aren’t resting on their laurels just yet.
Bournemouth 2-3 Arsenal
Saturday 3 January 2026 19:15 , Will Castle86 mins: Merino launches a tester for Petrovic as the Spaniard volleys into the ground from range, sending the keeper diving to claim the ball.
This could be a huge five or so minutes in the title race.
Bournemouth 2-3 Arsenal
Saturday 3 January 2026 19:12 , Will Castle82 mins: Rice takes an age to take a long throw for Arsenal, somehow not getting cautioned for time-wasting.
The eventual throw is flicked on but cleared.
Bournemouth 2-3 Arsenal
Saturday 3 January 2026 19:11 , Will Castle81 mins: Another change for Arsenal as Merino comes on for Odegaard.
Something tells me he’ll be assuming an old role in defensive midfield rather than going up top.
Bournemouth 2-3 Arsenal
Saturday 3 January 2026 19:07 , Will Castle78 mins: Listen to the noise. The Vitality is believing they can claw this one back.
Game on.
GOAL! Bournemouth 2-3 Arsenal (Kroupi, 76')
Saturday 3 January 2026 19:06 , Will CastleTHAT DIDN’T TAKE LONG!
Kroupi had been on the pitch for one minute and 40 seconds before blasting in from the edge of the box to give Bournemouth life!
Bournemouth 1-3 Arsenal
Saturday 3 January 2026 19:05 , Will Castle74 mins: Triple change for Bournemouth as Kroupi, Cook and Unal enter the fray for Scott, Kluivert and Evanilson.
GOAL! Bournemouth 1-3 Arsenal (Rice, 71')
Saturday 3 January 2026 19:00 , Will CastleDeclan at the double!
Rice is the man with the finish but that goal is all about the build-up.
Odegaard slips Saka into the box with a perfectly weighted pass, and it’s the winger’s burst of pace that does Truffert and Petrovic. He gets to the ball first having drawn both players in before pulling it back for Rice to tap in.
That should be that.
Bournemouth 1-2 Arsenal
Saturday 3 January 2026 18:59 , Will Castle70 mins: Needless yellow card for Zubimendi who knocks the ball away from the sidelines to delay a Cherries throw.
Bournemouth 1-2 Arsenal
Saturday 3 January 2026 18:56 , Will Castle67 mins: Arsenal use the break to make a triple attacking change, replacing Martinelli, Gyokeres and Madueke with Trossard, Jesus and Saka. That’s what you call strength in depth.
Bournemouth, meanwhile, take off Brooks for Adli - which indicates they’re confident Kluivert can continue.
Bournemouth 1-2 Arsenal
Saturday 3 January 2026 18:55 , Will Castle65 mins: Big concern for Bournemouth as Kluivert goes down and stays down holding his knee. It’s a really awkward fall.
With Semenyo looking like he’s heading out the exit door, Iraola really doesn’t need Kluivert going into the treatment room.
Bournemouth 1-2 Arsenal
Saturday 3 January 2026 18:54 , Will Castle64 mins: Smart goalkeeping from Petrovic to rush out following Senesi’s loose pass, playing sweeper keeper to clear the danger.
Bournemouth 1-2 Arsenal
Saturday 3 January 2026 18:48 , Will Castle59 mins: This has been a great response by Bournemouth, who will feel hard done by to fall behind.
They go up the other end and deliver a dangerous ball to the back post for Brooks to latch on to, but the Welshman is thwarted by an Arsenal body.
Tavernier then tests Raya with a bouncing shot from range.
GOAL! Bournemouth 1-2 Arsenal (Rice, 54')
Saturday 3 January 2026 18:43 , Will CastleRuthless from Arsenal!
Gyokeres does well to hold the ball up and get the Gunners into the box, and after a wonderful bit of awareness from Odegaard to know where Rice is, he slips it into the Englishman’s path who fires home.
Bournemouth 1-1 Arsenal
Saturday 3 January 2026 18:42 , Will Castle53 mins: CHANCE! Really smart thinking from Kluivert to play the quick free-kick to Brooks, slipping the Welshman through from halfway.
The only problem is that the angle closes for him and he ends up firing wide.
Bournemouth 1-1 Arsenal
Saturday 3 January 2026 18:39 , Will Castle50 mins: Up the other end, Semenyo finds himself in space down the right but to the surprise of many, he opts not to drive at his man on the edge of the box.
Instead, his pull-back does not find a red and black shirt.
Bournemouth 1-1 Arsenal
Saturday 3 January 2026 18:38 , Will Castle49 mins: First opportunity to create something comes Arsenal’s way as a free-kick is whipped in from deep towards the head of Gyokeres.
He knocks it down which comes close to falling to Saliba but it’s cleared.
BACK UNDERWAY! Bournemouth 1-1 Arsenal
Saturday 3 January 2026 18:34 , Will CastleAnd we’re off again!
Second half on the way
Saturday 3 January 2026 18:33 , Will CastleHere come the teams for the second half.
Might we see Mikel Arteta turn to the bench? Not yet it seems...
Arsenal struggling in front of goal
Saturday 3 January 2026 18:29 , Will CastleIt’s been an entertaining game at the Vitality - but probably not for the reasons Mikel Arteta would’ve hoped for.
His side haven’t had a shot since the 18th minute and instead it has been Bournemouth that have been probing for a second.
With Manchester City in action, the Gunners have a huge chance to ramp up the pressure on their title challengers. A big second half coming up.
HALF-TIME! Bournemouth 1-1 Arsenal
Saturday 3 January 2026 18:24 , Will CastleGabriel went from zero to hero as the Brazilian redeemed an early howler to put Arsenal on terms at half-time of an entertaining clash at Bournemouth.
The defender delivered countryman Evanilson a late Christmas present by gifting the ball to the Bournemouth striker on the edge of the Gunners box after 10 minutes, who promptly fired past David Raya to give the Cherries the lead.
He then provided the finishing touch just six minutes later to level for Arsenal, hitting the back of the net after pinball in front of the Bournemouth goal.
Both teams have probed for a second but to no avail, with Arsenal hoping to end the night six points clear at the top of the Premier League.
HALF-TIME! Bournemouth 1-1 Arsenal
Saturday 3 January 2026 18:19 , Will CastleA couple of late stoppage-time breaks go begging for Arsenal and the first half ends with it all square.
Bournemouth 1-1 Arsenal
Saturday 3 January 2026 18:16 , Will Castle45+1 mins: Two minutes added on. It’s been a rather tepid climax to the first half after what has been pretty entertaining game of football.
Bournemouth 1-1 Arsenal
Saturday 3 January 2026 18:12 , Will Castle41 mins: Nice give-and-go between Evanilson and Semenyo that sees the latter side foot it over from outside the box.
He doesn’t quite get the technique right. A half-chance gone.
Bournemouth 1-1 Arsenal
Saturday 3 January 2026 18:10 , Will Castle36 mins: Arsenal players protest over Semenyo allegedly pulling Rice back on the counter, given that the winger is already on a yellow and that would arguably be a second bookable offence.
The ref isn’t having any of it - and neither is Rice, to be honest.
Bournemouth 1-1 Arsenal
Saturday 3 January 2026 18:06 , Will Castle34 mins: Time for Bournemouth to break down the left now as Truffert drives forward, but it’s brilliant defensive work from Gabriel who knows his surroundings to read the resulting cross and prevent any danger from reaching his goal.
The Cherries are asking questions, but that is far more characteristic from the Brazilian after his earlier error.
Bournemouth 1-1 Arsenal
Saturday 3 January 2026 18:02 , Will Castle32 mins: CHANCE! Bournemouth come forward again through Kluivert who delivers a great ball into Tavernier.
It’s a difficult chance to convert as the midfielder taps over, but it’s more encouraging football from the Cherries.
Bournemouth 1-1 Arsenal
Saturday 3 January 2026 17:58 , Will Castle27 mins: Semenyo enters the book for tripping up Hincapie while both were running in the same direction.
There was zero intent from Semenyo to impede the break, who was just running. That’s a very harsh decision.
Bournemouth 1-1 Arsenal
Saturday 3 January 2026 17:56 , Will Castle25 mins: Kluivert tries to do his best Szoboszlai and beat Raya with a 30-yard-plus free-kick.
He gets it beyond the wall and gives Raya something to think about, but it doesn’t have the distance or direction and bobbles wide.
Bournemouth 1-1 Arsenal
Saturday 3 January 2026 17:53 , Will Castle21 mins: Evanilson almost self-polices himself as David Brooks slips the Brazilian - well offside - into the box, but the flag doesn’t go up.
His effort is half-hearted as Saliba gets back to intervene, only for the linesman then to act.
Evanilson was about four yards off there. It’s baffling that the linesmen are told not to bring a halt to play when the decision is that obvious.
GOAL! Bournemouth 1-1 Arsenal (Gabriel, 16')
Saturday 3 January 2026 17:48 , Will CastleGabriel goes from zero to hero!
Madueke has the left side of Bournemouth’s defence on strings and after his initial ball causes pinball in the Cherries box, it breaks to Gabriel who puts his foot through it and levels for Arsenal.
That’s how you redeem yourself.
Bournemouth 1-0 Arsenal
Saturday 3 January 2026 17:46 , Will Castle13 mins: That was nearly an absolute screamer from Tavernier, who fires a rocket just wide from range.
GOAL! Bournemouth 1-0 Arsenal (Evanilson, 10')
Saturday 3 January 2026 17:41 , Will CastleIT’S A GIFT FROM ARSENAL!
The Gunners were just ticking it around the back before Gabriel, under zero pressure, just slips his square pass straight to Evanilson on the edge of the box, who gobbles up the chance to give Bournemouth the lead.
It’s so uncharacteristic from Arsenal - but Bournemouth, and the chasing pack, will not care.
Bournemouth 0-0 Arsenal
Saturday 3 January 2026 17:40 , Will Castle8 mins: CHANCE! Madueke does the hard bit but gets the finish all wrong!
He drives at Truffert with pace, getting into the box and as no Cherries defenders close him down, he’s allowed to get a shot off.
But with half of the goal to pass in to, he blazes high and wide to jeers from the crowd.
Bournemouth fans may point and laugh at that finish - but that is a huge let-off.
Bournemouth 0-0 Arsenal
Saturday 3 January 2026 17:38 , Will Castle7 mins: Zubimendi slips Gyokeres into the box but it’s well defended by Bournemouth defenders to prevent a shot getting away.
Bournemouth 0-0 Arsenal
Saturday 3 January 2026 17:37 , Will Castle5 mins: Now it’s the turn of Arsenal to threaten.
The Gunners have enjoyed a couple of breaks down each wing, whether that be through Martinelli or Madueke, and have called Bournemouth’s defence into action.
The Cherries see a bit of pressure released when Odegaard shoots high and wide from outside the box.
Bournemouth 0-0 Arsenal
Saturday 3 January 2026 17:33 , Will Castle2 mins: Their set piece comes to nothing but this is a high-energy opening from the Cherries.
Semenyo has been ever-present during this opening couple of minutes and his dangerous cross has just won another corner.
KICK-OFF! Bournemouth 0-0 Arsenal
Saturday 3 January 2026 17:31 , Will CastleWe’re underway!
Antoine Semenyo gets immediately into the box and wins a corner.
Here come the teams!
Saturday 3 January 2026 17:27 , Will CastleThe players are out under the Vitality Stadium lights at what is the Premier League’s most southerly outpost.
Kick-off next!
Premier League results so far
Saturday 3 January 2026 17:25 , Will CastleThis is the fourth and final Premier League fixture of what has been a bitterly chilly Saturday afternoon. Here’s what’s happened elsewhere - including a first win of the season for Wolves!
Aston Villa 3-1 Nottingham Forest
Brighton 2-0 Burnley
Wolves 3-0 West Ham
Closing in on kick-off
Saturday 3 January 2026 17:20 , Will CastleWe’re T-minus 10 minutes from kick-off at the Vitality!
Will the Gunners keep doing the business and extend their lead at the top of the table to six points? Or will out-of-form Bournemouth strike another title blow, just like they did here last season?
We’ll have all the action, up next!
Arsenal transfer news round-up: Kenan Yildiz, Davide Bartesaghi and more as Mikel Arteta braces for busy January
Saturday 3 January 2026 17:10 , Will CastleMounting injuries may force Arsenal to dip into the January transfer market as they look to keep up the pace in their Premier League title charge.
The Gunners go into the new year at the top of the pile but will know all too well that such a position does not guarantee success come May, with Pep Guardiola’s revitalised Manchester City breathing down their necks.
After a busy summer that saw the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi and Eberechi Eze arrive for big fees, Mikel Arteta will be confident his Arsenal squad is capable of winning a first league title since the ‘Invincibles’ of 2003/04.
But with injuries not letting up, with Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori the latest to be sidelined, new recruits could come to boost the league leaders ahead of a crucial second half of the season.
When asked if Arteta has space in his squad for new signings, he said: "Depending, as I said, on the availability of certain players. The window is there. We're Arsenal. Now, we have to be looking at it.”
Here are the latest stories surrounding the transfer market at the Emirates:
Bournemouth vs Arsenal: Head-to-head
Saturday 3 January 2026 17:00 , Will CastleArsenal may be heavy favourites going into tonight’s game, with the league leaders taking on a Bournemouth side without a Premier League win in 10 outings.
However, recent results against the Cherries will not make pretty reading. In fact, Andoni Iraola did the double over Mikel Arteta last term.
Bournemouth dealt one of the first title blows to Arsenal’s 2024/25 campaign in a 2-0 win at the Vitality last October, a night where William Saliba controversially saw red.
They then came from behind to beat the Gunners 2-1 at the Emirates in May, though at that point the title was already in Liverpool’s hands.
Before that, Arsenal had only ever lost once to tonight’s opposition in 11 games.
Can the Cherries keep up the trend and hurt Arteta’s title hunt again?
Arsenal's arrival on the south coast
Saturday 3 January 2026 16:54 , Will Castle
This is the year where football might finally witness the unthinkable
Saturday 3 January 2026 16:45 , Miguel DelaneyFor once, it is not just excitable new year talk to say 2026 has a strong chance of going down as the most momentous in English football history.
And, yes, perhaps the best of times and the worst of times.
Miguel Delaney previews what is unlikely to just be another year in the footballing world:
This is the year where football might finally witness the unthinkable
Viktor Gyokeres should be dropped by Arsenal, says Jamie Carragher
Saturday 3 January 2026 16:30 , Will CastleEx-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has suggested that either Gabriel Jesus or Kai Havertz should be Arsenal’s starting striker from now on, labelling both options “a better player” than Viktor Gyokeres.
“The one negative out of tonight for Arsenal, is that Gyokeres should not be starting, when they have players like this,” explained Carragher after the win over Aston Villa.
“In a couple of games time, when Jesus is a bit more up to speed, he should be starting. He's a better player than Gyokeres - that's a fact.”
Viktor Gyokeres should be dropped by Arsenal, says Jamie Carragher
Arsenal team news
Saturday 3 January 2026 16:25 , Flo CliffordThree changes for Arsenal from the side that beat Aston Villa 4-1: Declan Rice is recovered from his knee issue and replaces Mikel Merino, while Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli come into the side, replacing Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard.
Bournemouth team news
Saturday 3 January 2026 16:24 , Flo CliffordAndoni Iraola fields the same XI as in the 2-2 draw with Chelsea last time out.
The big news for Bournemouth is that Antoine Semenyo, heavily tipped for a move to Man City in this transfer window, starts for the Cherries - meaning he could well hurt Arsenal’s title chances today before immediately moving to their big rivals for the Premier League trophy.
Bournemouth line-up
Saturday 3 January 2026 16:20 , Flo CliffordBournemouth XI: Petrovic, Jimenez, Hill, Senesi, Truffert,Scott, Tavernier, Brooks, Kluivert, Semenyo, Evanilson
Subs: Forster, Cook, Soler, Smith, Diakite, Adli, Kroupi Jr, Enes Unal, Rees-Dottin
The #BOUARS team news 👊 pic.twitter.com/LpsSeOYfXB
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) January 3, 2026
Arsenal line-up
Saturday 3 January 2026 16:17 , Flo CliffordArsenal XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard, Madueke, Martinelli, Gyokeres
Subs: Arrizabalaga, White, Lewis-Skelly, Norgaard, Merino, Eze, Saka, Trossard, Jesus
⚪️ 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 🔴
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 3, 2026
💪 Rice pulling the strings
🪄 Madueke down the right
⚡️ Martinelli on the opposite wing
Let’s start the year right, Gunners 😤
🤝 Presented by @deel
Team news coming up
Saturday 3 January 2026 16:12 , Will CastleJust a couple minutes away from team news being confirmed. Here’s a reminder of what we know so far:
Antoine Semenyo is set to start with Andoni Iraola confirming his involvement, but Ben Gannon-Goak, Tyler Adams and Veljko Milosavljevic are all out. Lewis Cook and Ryan Christie are both 50/50 to feature.
As for Arsenal, there is still a big question mark over Declan Rice’s involvement. The midfielder missed the win against Villa due to knee swelling and he remains a doubt for Saturday’s game. Cristhian Mosquera and Riccardo Calafiori are still absent, but Gabriel and Jurrien Timber are set to start once again.
Arsenal's first session of the new year
Saturday 3 January 2026 16:08 , Will Castle
Last time out: Arsenal's emphatic title statement against Aston Villa
Saturday 3 January 2026 16:00 , Will CastleThis victory may well be one they look back on in May. Faced with the Premier League’s in-form team, a side bouncing into north London after eight hair-raising wins on the spin, Arsenal blew away the merry men of Aston Villa in a sensational 30-minute, four-goal blitz at the Emirates. To close out 2025, jubilant on the touchline, it was Mikel Arteta’s biggest statement yet.
What sort of message has it sent to Manchester City? An emphatic one. In recent weeks, it has been nervy late-game viewing for Arsenal supporters, so desperate for this season to be, beyond any other competitions, their season in the Premier League. This was a proper test of their title credentials under the lights: a team with 11 consecutive victories in all competitions. The league’s in-form player in Morgan Rogers. An ex-manager in Unai Emery smelling a 24-day double. But they answered it and, whisper it quietly, in the manner of champions.
Read Kieran Jackson’s report from Tuesday night’s classic at the Emirates:
Why ‘Big Gabi’ is so important to Arsenal’s chances of ending 22-year title drought
Andoni Iraola on Antoine Semenyo's future
Saturday 3 January 2026 15:45 , Will CastleAndoni Iraola gave some more detail when pressed if today’s game against Arsenal will be Semenyo’s last for Bournemouth.
“No, no. I think the idea at least that he's going to be available in these two home games in a short turnaround. I hope he can be here for more time. But I don't know what's going to be happen,” he said.
“That's not the idea [that it’s Semenyo's last match]. The market is open, you never know what's going to happen. I cannot control things, but right now I don't think so.”
Semenyo has been heavily linked with a move away with Manchester City said to be closing in on signing the Ghana international.
‘Just a rumour’: Why Enzo Maresca to Man City never made any sense
Saturday 3 January 2026 15:30 , Richard JollyIf Enzo Maresca’s last contribution as a Manchester City employee was to help them secure the treble in 2023, his most recent input to the discourse around the Etihad Stadium feels more unwelcome. The apparent indications that City’s former assistant manager had spoken to his old club about the possibility of replacing Pep Guardiola raised the issue of the Spaniard’s future.
Which has lingered in the background; as, indeed, it has for much of a reign that has extended for far longer than he originally envisaged. The Catalan shrugged off the idea his old assistant had talked to City. “Why would I give you an update about an opinion that I don't know is about this opinion?” he said. “It's just a rumour.”
Guardiola adopted a trademark blend of playfulness and faux arrogance. “You want to fire me?” he asked “My salary is so high, so I have one more year... I know you are bored of me, ten years here. I will leave one day, I promise. But I have a contract, I'm happy, I want to fight with my team. I like to be here.”
Richard Jolly writes on Enzo Maresca’s shock Chelsea exit and what it could mean for Arsenal’s title rivals Manchester City:
‘Just a rumour’: Why Enzo Maresca to Man City never made any sense
Mikel Arteta challenges Arsenal to break ‘grizzly’ New Year statistic
Saturday 3 January 2026 15:15 , Will CastleMikel Arteta has challenged Arsenal to defy a persistent historical pattern and secure their first Premier League title in over two decades, despite a commanding four-point lead at the top of the table.
The Gunners’ emphatic 4-1 victory over Aston Villa, coupled with Manchester City’s goalless draw at Sunderland, has put them in a strong position as the new year begins.
However, this promising start comes with a stark historical caveat. On five previous occasions over the past 23 years, Arsenal have ended the calendar year atop the Premier League, only to ultimately fall short of lifting the trophy.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s match at Bournemouth, Arteta stated he was unaware of the "grizzly statistic" but remained resolute. "Let’s break it," he insisted.
"That’s what the players transmit every single day when they’re with us, training, and in every match. You can see their desire. You can see the energy that they put in, and how much they want it."
He added a note of caution, reminding that: "There are still five months to go. Let’s take it day-by-day, enjoy that process of being where we are, and go for it."
Mikel Arteta challenges Arsenal to break ‘grizzly’ New Year statistic
Predicted line-ups
Saturday 3 January 2026 15:04 , Will CastleBournemouth: Petrovic; Smith, Diakite, Senesi, Truffert; Scott, Tavernier; Brooks, Kluivert, Semenyo; Evanilson
Arsenal: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Merino, Odegaard; Saka, Trossard, Gyokeres
Arsenal team news
Saturday 3 January 2026 15:03 , Will CastleAs for Arsenal, there is still a big question mark over Declan Rice’s involvement.
The midfielder missed the win against Villa due to knee swelling and he remains a doubt for Saturday’s game.
Christhian Mosquera and Riccardo Calafiori are still absent, but Gabriel and Jurrien Timber are set to start once again.
Bournemouth team news
Saturday 3 January 2026 15:02 , Will CastleAntoine Semenyo is set to start with Andoni Iraola confirming his involvement, but Ben Gannon-Goak, Tyler Adams and Veljko Milosavljevic are all out.
Lewis Cook and Ryan Christie are both 50/50 to feature.
Is Bournemouth vs Arsenal on TV?
Saturday 3 January 2026 15:01 , Will CastleThe Premier League meeting between Bournemouth and Arsenal kicks off at 5:30pm GMT on Saturday, 3 January at the Vitality Stadium.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the UK will be able to watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage starting at 4:30pm. It will also be available to stream on Sky Go.
If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.
Bournemouth vs Arsenal live
Saturday 3 January 2026 15:00 , Will CastleArsenal travel to Bournemouth tonight with the chance to extend their advantage at the top of the Premier League to six points.
After a string of unconvincing results, the Gunners made an emphatic title statement last time out as they rounded off 2025 with a 4-1 win over top-of-the-table rivals Aston Villa.
Manchester City then failed to keep up the pace on New Year’s Day, losing valuable ground in a frustrating goalless draw at Sunderland.
It means Mikel Arteta’s title-chasers could start the new year by gaining serious breathing space at the Premier League’s pinnacle, while the Cherries will hope to end a torrid 10-game winless run that has seen them drop to 15th.
Good afternoon
Saturday 3 January 2026 13:42 , Will CastleHello there and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Arsenal’s trip to Bournemouth in the Premier League.
Stay tuned for all the latest team news, build-up and match action from the Vitality Stadium!
