Arsenal fans have a new chant for star midfielder Declan Rice following his two-goal display against Bournemouth this weekend.Photo by Michael Steele/Getty ImagesAhead of Arsenal’s game against

Declan Rice scored twice in Arsenal's win at Bournemouth on Saturday, and with goals added to his game, is he now the best midfielder in the world?

Arsenal travel to Bournemouth to open their 2026 schedule. The Gunners sit atop the Premier League table, four points clear of Manchester City after Pep Guardiola’s side dropped points against Sunderland.

The 20th Premier League matchweek will see Bournemouth host Arsenal at the Vitality Stadium today. Arsenal remains top of the Premier League while Bournemouth is near the bottom of the table. Bournemouth is 15th in the league table with 23 points and has a record of five wins, eight draws, and six losses.

Declan Rice struck twice as Arsenal ran its Premier League winning streak to five games with a 3-2 win over defense-starved Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday.

The 21st week of play will run midweek from Tuesday, Jan. 6 to Thursday, Jan. 8. Some matches will be available to watch on TV via NBC and USA Network, while others will stream exclusively on Peacock and NBC.com. Games will also be available to watch on the new NBC Sports Network.

Preview the matchup between Arsenal FC and AFC Bournemouth with predictions, odds, over/under, betting lines and more.

Thiago profiles as a physical penalty-box striker, having taken just two shots from outside the area all season. His first against Everton exhibited his poaching instinct, making a clever, sharp blindside run behind Michael Keane, volleying Vitaly Janelt’s cross from close range.

Bournemouth have lost 12 of their 13 Premier League games against sides starting the day at the top of the table. The exception is a 2-1 home win over Manchester City in November 2024. Having started the campaign very well, Bournemouth dramatically lost form. They are winless in their last 10 Premier League games (5 draws, 5 losses).

Overall it was quite a level game, we were better in the first half but Arsenal had the better of the second half. It is very difficult to score two against Arsenal but to finish without a point is frustrating.

Without some of their best players as Declan Rice missed out with a knee injury, Arsenal were able to go five points clear atop the Premier League after defeating Aston Villa 4-1 at the Emirates Stadium with a four-minute double from Gabriel and Martin Zubimendi.

Arsenal injury list: Players out, potential return dates, predicted lineup for next game vs. Liverpool originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Arsenal remain top of the Premier League table as they head into a potentially testing run of January fixtures.