Arsenal's Premier League title charge gathered further momentum with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday. The win, Arsenal's fifth consecutive league triumph, sent Mikel Arteta's side six points clear at the summit, though a major test awaits against Liverpool this Thursday.
Rice's Match-Winning Double Draws High Praise
The hero of the hour was midfielder Declan Rice, who marked his return from a knee injury with a decisive brace. His performance was so impactful it caught the eye of England teammate Ivan Toney, currently with Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia. Toney took to Instagram to express his admiration, suggesting Arteta should "get him up front" and adding heart-eye emojis, clearly blown away by Rice's attacking prowess.
Beyond his two goals from two attempts, Rice was a dominant force across the pitch. The 26-year-old succeeded in all three of his tackle attempts, made eight ball recoveries, and completed 84% of his passes. Only teammate Martin Zubimendi and Bournemouth's Marco Senesi had more touches, but neither matched Rice's decisive contribution in the final third.
Transfer Blow as Yildiz Set for Juventus Stay
While the on-field news was positive, Arsenal's transfer plans appear to have suffered a setback. Highly-rated Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz, linked with a move to the Emirates alongside Liverpool and Bayern Munich, is now poised to sign a new long-term contract in Turin.
Reports from Italy, corroborated by Sport Witness, indicate that interest from clubs like Arsenal was leveraged by the player's entourage, including his father Engin and agent Jorge Mendes, to secure an improved deal. The 20-year-old Turkey international is set to become one of the club's top earners on a contract potentially running until 2031, effectively ending immediate hopes of a transfer.
Title Momentum Builds Ahead of Liverpool Clash
The victory places Arsenal in a formidable position as they chase a first Premier League title in over two decades. The team's resilience and match-winning contributions from players like Rice are fuelling belief. However, the squad faces a rapid turnaround, with the crucial home fixture against title rivals Liverpool on Thursday, January 5th, 2026, presenting the next significant hurdle in their campaign.
With the Yildiz avenue seemingly closing, Arsenal's focus will remain on maintaining their winning form with the current squad, as the pursuit of domestic glory enters a critical phase.
