Bournemouth vs Arsenal LIVE!
Arsenal beat Bournemouth 3-2 to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to six points in a topsy-turvy encounter at the Vitality Stadium. On a cold evening on the Dorset coast, Declan Rice notched a brace on his return from a knee injury after he was a surprise inclusion in Mikel Arteta’s starting lineup, which omitted in-form wingers Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard.
The Gunners were under the cosh early, as Andoni Iraola’s hosts opened the scoring on 10 minutes as Evanlison profitted from a rare Gabriel mistake to slot home. The Arsenal defender, who himself had made a goalscoring return to action against Aston Villa last time out, made immediate amends as he lashed home the equaliser just six minutes later.
It was not until after the interval that Rice had his first, stroking home past Djordje Petrovic to turn the game on its head and give the visitors the lead, and he was at the double 15 minutes later, firing in a third after superb play down the right from Saka. Eli Kroupi scored a screamer to set up a grandstand finish, but it was the north Londoners who held on for a maximum return that sees them take full advantage of Manchester City’s faltering at Sunderland on New Years’ Day.
Bournemouth vs Arsenal latest news
- GOAL! Kroupi scores screamer
- GOAL! Rice adds third
- GOAL! Rice nets second on return
- GOAL! Gabriel atones for error
- GOAL! Gabriel howler gifts Evanilson opener
Three things we learned from Arsenal win
19:56 , Oli GentThe Gunners got it done, but they were sloppy in a stern test.
Arsenal player ratings
19:39 , Oli GentDeclan Rice massive on return, but Piero Hincapie ineffective.
Matt Verri rated the Arsenal players.
Gunners consolidate title credentials
19:38 , Oli GentA topsy-turvy affair, but Arsenal got there in the end.
FT: Bournemouth 2-3 Arsenal
19:25 , Oli GentThere we have it. Arsenal victorious, and extend their lead at the top to six points.
Thanks for joining us on Standard Sport, be sure to come back very soon for even more LIVE action!
Bournemouth 2-3 Arsenal
19:23 , Oli Gent90+5 mins: Last minute of stoppage time. What can Bournemouth muster?
Bournemouth 2-3 Arsenal
19:20 , Oli Gent90+2 mins: A silly foul by Adli as he catches Merino late to earn a booking.
Bournemouth 2-3 Arsenal
19:19 , Oli Gent90+1 mins: Six added minutes.
Bournemouth 2-3 Arsenal
19:19 , Oli Gent90 mins: The referee is really letting Arsenal get away with some serious timewasting here. What will the fourth official have to say about it?
Bournemouth 2-3 Arsenal
19:13 , Oli Gent84 mins: Free kick, Bournemouth. Timber is penalised for a trip on Adli tight to the left touchline. Cook delivers the set play, but that’s easy pickings for Raya.
Bournemouth 2-3 Arsenal
19:09 , Oli Gent81 mins: Mikel Merino is on for Odegaard. A bit more steel in the engine room now.
Bournemouth 2-3 Arsenal
19:09 , Oli Gent80 mins: A cynical hack from Kroupi as he pulls back at Trossard to earn himself a yellow.
Matt Verri reports
19:07 , Oli Gent79 mins; Latest test of Arsenal's resilience coming up. Bournemouth fans as loud as they've been all night.
Goal! Bournemouth 2-3 Arsenal
19:05 , Oli Gent76 mins: What a goal that is, and the Cherries are back in it! That is sumptuous build-up, and then the substitute takes one touch out of his feet, before letting fly from range to nestle one into the top corner!
Bournemouth 1-3 Arsenal
19:03 , Oli Gent75 mins: Changes afoot for Bournemouth as Lewis Cook comes on for Scott, and Kroupi replaces Evanilson. Enes Unal is on for Kluivert.
Matt Verri reports
19:02 , Oli Gent74 mins: So, so good. Odegaard with a perfectly weighted pass through to Saka, who picks out the right option and Rice does the best. For the first time tonight Arsenal have real control.
Goal! Bournemouth 1-3 Arsenal
19:01 , Oli Gent71 mins: It’s that man again, Rice at the double. What a bit of play from Saka down the right. The movement and pace off the flank, before having the awareness to pick out Rice. 3-1.
Bournemouth 1-2 Arsenal
18:59 , Oli Gent70 mins: A booking for Martin Zubimendi for a cynical trip.
Matt Verri reports
18:56 , Oli Gent67 mins: A reminder of the strength in depth Arsenal now have to play with. Midway through the second half and Saka, Jesus and Trossard stroll onto the pitch. Meanwhile, Amine Adli is on for Bournemouth, replacing Brooks.
Bournemouth 1-2 Arsenal
18:55 , Oli Gent66 mins: Time for the cavalry, then. Arteta has turned to his bench. Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard are all on for the front three, Gyokeres, Martinelli and Madueke.
Bournemouth 1-2 Arsenal
18:51 , Oli Gent63 mins: Arsenal looking to really assert their dominance here as Bournemouth just cannot get a foot on the ball. It’s all about the north Londoners at the moment.
Bournemouth 1-2 Arsenal
18:49 , Oli Gent60 mins: Corner, Arsenal. Good defending from Truffert to stay with Madueke and toe the ball behind. Chance for the visitors.
Bournemouth 1-2 Arsenal
18:47 , Oli Gent59 mins: Gunners are ahead, and they’ve not needed to turn to their bench yet. Could this be a game where Arteta can give Saka a full rest?
Matt Verri reports
18:44 , Oli Gent56 mins: Arsenal needed that. Gyokeres did enough to make a nuisance of himself, that created the space and Rice finds the back of the net with typical confidence.
Goal! Bournemouth 1-2 Arsenal
18:43 , Oli Gent54 mins: It’s there, and Arsenal have turned things around. Guess who? Declan Rice, who runs onto the loose ball and slots home with great precision.
Bournemouth 1-1 Arsenal
18:42 , Oli Gent53 mins: Close! Quick thinking from Bournemouth as Kluivert takes the free kick quickly and picks out Brooks. The Welshman speeds down the left and looks to send it towards the far corner, but it’s a long way wide from the angle.
Matt Verri reports
18:40 , Oli Gent52 mins: Longer spell of sustained possession for Arsenal early in this half but Bournemouth look comfortable. Letting them have it at the back and offering no space when Arsenal do play it forward. Ends with a long ball out of play.
Bournemouth 1-1 Arsenal
18:39 , Oli Gent50 mins: Chance missed? I see that as Bournemouth stream forward, and Semenyo gets Hincapie one v one. Instead of running at him, he looks for the early low cross, which is easily dealt with by Saliba.
Bournemouth 1-1 Arsenal
18:37 , Oli Gent49 mins: A good start from Arsenal in this second half. Getting control of possession and looking to make things happen. Positive.
Kick off!
18:34 , Oli GentWe’re back underway.
Matt Verri reports
18:19 , Oli GentHalf time and being level is as good as Arsenal could have wished for with that performance. Poor on the ball, sloppy in defence, and all very slow and safe in attack, apart from those early Madueke bursts. Miles off their usual standards.
HT: Bournemouth 1-1 Arsenal
18:18 , Oli GentThere’s the interval, and we’re even stevens at the Vitality. A good game so far.
What will the second half have in store?
Bournemouth 1-1 Arsenal
18:16 , Oli Gent45 mins: Two added minutes.
Bournemouth 1-1 Arsenal
18:12 , Oli Gent40 mins: Close! Semenyo links up with Evanilson, but sends his effort on the edge of the area over the top. Just leaning back a tad there.
Matt Verri reports
18:06 , Oli Gent37 mins: Arsenal think Semenyo could have been shown a second yellow there for pulling back Rice. Arteta was already appealing for it, then clocked it was Semenyo and that he had already been booked. Sprinted at the fourth official.
Matt Verri reports
18:05 , Oli Gent35 mins: That goal from Gabriel aside, Arsenal haven't got going at all. So many unforced errors on the ball. Zubimendi looks well off the pace, especially when Bournemouth target him with their press.
Bournemouth 1-1 Arsenal
18:04 , Oli Gent33 mins: Good defending from Gabriel as Truffert breaks free down the left and looks to send a cross in, but the Brazilian snuffs out the danger.
Bournemouth 1-1 Arsenal
18:02 , Oli Gent31 mins: Tavernier goes close again with another late dart into the box. Attacking the near post once more, he just diverts Kluivert’s low cross too high!
Matt Verri reports
17:58 , Oli Gent27 mins: A trip from Semenyo and he's into the book. Not sure Man City's masterplan involves him getting sent off here and suspended.
Bournemouth 1-1 Arsenal
17:57 , Oli Gent27 mins: Free kick, Arsenal. Semenyo picks up a booking for a trip on Hincapie.
Bournemouth 1-1 Arsenal
17:57 , Oli Gent26 mins: A tight affair so far with both sides throwing caution to the wind. Who will seize the initiative?
Bournemouth 1-1 Arsenal
17:54 , Oli Gent23 mins: Close! Hill delivers for Tavernier who arrives late to flick it on at the near post, but it’s just wide!
Matt Verri reports
17:50 , Oli Gent20 mins: Madueke has been so sharp in the early stages of this match. His run here makes the goal, so positive and direct in charging along the byline. Some heroic Bournemouth defending in there but Gabriel makes up for his mistake.
Bournemouth 1-1 Arsenal
17:49 , Oli Gent19 mins: Corner, Arsenal. Won well by Gyokeres in the left channel as he fires a cross-shot at Hill, but Petrovic deals with the Rice delivery.
Goal! Bournemouth 1-1 Arsenal
17:47 , Oli Gent16 mins: The Rice free kick is well punched by Petrovic, but Arsenal come back with Madueke getting the ball back into the box. He jinks past Semenyo and to the byline, and it ricochets towards Gabriel, who lashes home to make immediate amends for his error.
Bournemouth 1-0 Arsenal
17:44 , Oli Gent13 mins: Close! A darting, powerful burst from Kluivert through the heart of Arsenal, and he sends a rasping effort whistling wide!
Matt Verri reports
17:43 , Oli Gent12 mins: That pass from Gabriel was so bad I'm not sure what he was even trying to do. Couldn't have played it any better to Evanilson if he tried.
Goal! Bournemouth 1-0 Arsenal
17:42 , Oli Gent10 mins: What a start, and Bournemouth take the lead through a horror mistake from Gabriel! It’s an absolute gift from the defender, whose sideways pass for Saliba is wayward and straight into the path of Evanilson, who slots home past Raya!
Matt Verri reports
17:39 , Oli Gent9 mins: That's a massive chance. Madueke was allowed to keep drifting further and further inside, the space opened up for him... wild finish.
Bournemouth 0-0 Arsenal
17:38 , Oli Gent8 mins: Better from the visitors, who have grown into the contest. They’re looking to get Odegaard and Rice on the ball at every opportunity, with the wingers pushing high and wide and seeking to isolate the full-backs.
Bournemouth 0-0 Arsenal
17:36 , Oli Gent6 mins: Odegaard wins back possession in the Bournemouth half and looks for the speculative shot from range, but it’s high and wide of the target.
Bournemouth 0-0 Arsenal
17:33 , Oli Gent3 mins: Early pressure from the hosts, looking for the high-octane start. Gabriel and Saliba called into action from the get-go to clear Arsenal lines from crosses left, right and centre.
Matt Verri reports
17:31 , Oli Gent2 mins: Loudest cheer ahead of kick-off comes when Semenyo's name is read out. Could prove to be his last game for the club - Man City in particular will be hoping it's a good one.
Kick off!
17:30 , Oli Gent1 min: We’re underway.
Five minute warning!
17:26 , Oli GentThe players are out, and we’re about to get going in Dorset...
Ten minutes to kick off!
17:22 , Oli GentWho’s winning this one?
Sharing the goals around
17:15 , Oli GentLeandro Trossard is the only Arsenal player to score and assist in multiple PL games this season:
— Squawka (@Squawka) January 3, 2026
⚽🅰️ vs. Tottenham
⚽🅰️ vs. Aston Villa
He has the most assists (4) and joint-most goals (5) of any Arsenal player in the league this season.#BOUARS | @bet365 | #Ad pic.twitter.com/XezzhJegrK
'A great combination'
17:11 , Oli GentJamie Redknapp discusses the partnership of Gabriel and Saliba in the Sky Sports studio...
"They are a great combination"
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 3, 2026
Jamie Redknapp on Gabriel and Saliba 💪 pic.twitter.com/8eyyPTRWhY
Also today!
17:00 , Oli GentSenegal face Sudan in the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations today.
Confusing Arsenal decision reaps rewards in title charge
16:50 , Oli GentIt would be a fairly significant understatement to suggest that some of Arsenal's summer decisions went down better with the fanbase than others, Matt Verri writes.
There was excitement and a degree of relief when the signing of Viktor Gyokeres was finally completed, at least temporarily ending the striker talk that has dominated recent transfer windows.
Matt Verri reports
16:45 , Oli GentBig call for Arteta to bring Rice straight back into the side. Shows just how important he is to this Arsenal side. Arteta feels like he can go without Saka and Trossard today, but not Rice.
As for Bournemouth...
16:40 , Oli GentNo changes to the side that drew 2-2 with Chelsea before the turn of the year.
Quite a cavalier selection from Andoni Iraola, with the midfield double pivot of Marcus Tavernier and Alex Scott not having the most defensive of mindsets in the Cherries’ 4-2-3-1.
Ahead of them, Antoine Semenyo is the big talking point on the left as he starts despite being heavily linked with a move away.
Justin Kluivert and David Brooks complete the attacking midfield trident behind the lone ranger Evanilson up top, who will have his work cut out against the physical presence of William Saliba and Gabriel.
Rice is back!
16:31 , Oli GentBig news for Arsenal with Rice back in the engine room, but load management from Arteta as Bukayo Saka drops to the bench, and so does Leandro Trossard.
Kai Havertz misses out on the squad entirely despite his comeback from injury last time out against Villa.
Arsenal lineup
16:20 , Oli GentArsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Madueke, Martinelli, Gyokeres
Subs: Arrizabalaga, White, Lewis-Skelly, Norgaard, Merino, Eze, Saka, Jesus, Trossard
Bournemouth lineup
16:18 , Oli GentBournemouth XI: Petrovic; Jimenez, Hill, Senesi, Truffert; Tavernier, Scott; Brooks, Kluivert, Semenyo; Evanilson
Subs: Forster, Cook, Soler, Smith, Diakite, Adli, Kroupi, Unal, Rees-Dottin
What's happening with Declan Rice?
16:15 , Oli GentDeclan Rice was Arsenal’s biggest injury worry coming into this game, but it seems as though the Gunners have been handed a major boost...
Match odds
16:10 , Oli GentBournemouth to win: 5/1
Arsenal to win: 4/9
Draw: 11/4
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
Head to head
16:00 , Oli GentBournemouth did the double over Arsenal last season, including a 2-0 win in the corresponding fixture where William Saliba was sent-off in the first half.
Bournemouth wins: 3
Arsenal wins: 13
Draws: 2
Standard Sport prediction
15:55 , Oli GentBournemouth are in poor form at the moment, but they’ve only lost once at home in the Premier League so far this season and have conceded just six goals in nine matches.
Therefore, we expect this to be a diffcult game for Arsenal - especially considering their recent struggles on the road - where one goal could be enough for another precious three points.
Arsenal to win, 1-0.
Arsenal team news
15:45 , Oli GentArsenal are sweating on the fitness of Declan Rice after he sat out the win over Villa with a knee issue. With the home clash against Liverpool looming, Arteta is unlikely to take any risks.
Gabriel, a scorer on his return to action, should be fit despite being replaced in the second half on Tuesday night. Though, whether he can start two games in quick succession remains to be seen.
Gabriel Jesus is pushing for a start after scoring as a substitute against Villa, while Eberechi Eze is hoping for some minutes having been an unusued substitute in the last three Premier League matches.
Bournemouth team news
15:35 , Oli GentBournemouth have will have Antoine Semenyo available for selection against the Gunners even though the winger is thought to be closing in on a move to Manchester City.
Lewis Cook is a doubt, but Ryan Christie, Ben Gannon-Doak, Tyler Adams, Matai Akinmboni and Veljko Milosavljevic will all miss out through injury.
In a surprise signing, former Tottenham goalkeeper Fraser Forster has been registered in time to be on the bench for the Cherries.
How to watch
15:25 , Oli GentTV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on Sky Sports. Coverage starts at 5pm GMT on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League ahead of kick-off at 5.30pm.
Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Sky Go app.
Free highlights: The Sky Sports app and YouTube channel will show highlights shortly after the final whistle with Match of the Day broadcasting on BBC One at 10.30pm GMT.
Hello and welcome!
15:15 , Oli Gent... to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Arsenal’s Premier League trip to Bournemouth.
The Gunners are out to extend their lead at the top of the tree after Manchester City faltered on New Year’s Day.
Stay tuned for all the updates, with kick off at 5.30pm GMT.
