Declan Rice has delivered a powerful defence of Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres, claiming the club's quest to end a 22-year Premier League title wait would be impossible without the Swede, despite his ongoing struggles in front of goal.
Rice's Double Seals Vital Win Amid Striker's Drought
The England midfielder was the match-winner for the Gunners, scoring twice in a hard-fought 3-2 victory away at Bournemouth on Sunday, 4th January 2026. This crucial result secured Arsenal's fifth consecutive league win, solidifying their position at the summit of the table.
However, the spotlight fell on Gyokeres, whose barren run in open play extended to nine matches. He was substituted in the second half, having netted just seven times in all competitions this season. This is a modest return for a player who scored 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting Lisbon before his high-profile move to the Emirates Stadium.
"One of the Best in the World" - Rice's Unwavering Support
Despite the statistics, Rice was effusive in his praise for his teammate. He highlighted Gyokeres's selfless contribution to the team's success, particularly in the build-up to his own first goal at the Vitality Stadium.
"It's tough for him, because he's got two defenders on him all game, all over him," Rice explained. "With my first goal, without him making that run from Gabriel Martinelli's flick and holding it, setting it off to Martin Odegaard, that goal wouldn't happen. That was a pivotal moment."
Rice went further, placing Gyokeres among the global elite. "Defenders in the Premier League want to stop Viktor Gyokeres because he's one of the best strikers in the world," he asserted. "Trust me, he's doing unbelievably for us, and we wouldn't be where we are without him."
Arteta's Praise and Bournemouth's Silver Lining
Rice's performance was especially impressive given he shook off a knee injury that kept him out of the midweek win against Aston Villa. His two-goal haul was his first in the Premier League in 296 appearances. Afterwards, manager Mikel Arteta declared the 26-year-old must now be considered among the world's finest midfielders.
For a struggling Bournemouth side, now winless in 11 consecutive league matches, a rare positive was a spectacular 25-yard strike from 19-year-old Junior Kroupi, which set up a tense finale. Cherries midfielder Marcus Tavernier hailed his young teammate as a "generational talent" with an "unbelievable future."
Yet, the narrative in North London remains fixed on the title race and the central, if currently goal-shy, figure they believe can lead them to glory.
