Arsenal player ratings: Declan Rice at his mesmerising best but Saliba saves Gabriel’s blushes in Bournemouth victory
ARSENAL kept the heat on Man City in the title race with a 3-0 demolishing of Bournemouth.
Goals from Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard and Declan Rice sealed an emphatic victory at the Emirates on Saturday.
Arsenal are now FOUR points clear of defending champs City, who have a game in hand and play Wolves this afternoon.
But who was the best player for Mikel Arteta’s side?
And did anyone have a game to forget?
Here, SunSport’s Jordan Davies delivers his Arsenal player ratings…
DAVID RAYA – 7/10
Spent the first half as a spectator. First called into action in the 53rd minute to stand firm against Dominic Solanke at the near post.
TAKEHIRO TOMIYASU – 7
Rewarded with another start at left-back and almost snuck in at the back post with a headed effort from a corner in the first half.
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WILLIAM SALIBA – 8
Given a rollicking from Arteta inside the first few minutes for not being aggressive enough.
Responded with a goal-saving tackle on Solanke and almost scored one himself.
As Arsenal were pushed back after the break, Saliba’s recovery runs and tackles were worth their weight in gold.
GABRIEL – 6
Almost cost his side in the 17th minute, sloppily losing the ball at the back. Luckily for him, Saliba was there to save the day.
Was then involved in a messy scuffle that had Bournemouth score only to be bizarrely denied by VAR, which also ruled out his stunning goal for offside.
BEN WHITE – 7
Had his work cut out against Justin Kluivert so could not drive forward like he normally does. Remained solid and was made to suffer at times, but did his job.
Produced the quality when it mattered, his long ball to Saka leading to Arsenal’s second.
DECLAN RICE – 9
At his physical, galloping, mesmerising best.
Missed an absolute sitter in the 38th minute from a Havertz knock-down but kept his composure when his team needed him, especially when picking up a loose ball and putting on a plate for Trossard’s goal.
To top it off, a lung-busting burst into the box from Jesus’ pass ended with a stunning finish from a narrow angle.
THOMAS PARTEY – 7
Quietly productive in the middle of the pitch. Looks back to full fitness now and almost found the bottom corner with a curled strike.
MARTIN ODEGAARD – 8
Slick passing through the channels from the off and almost grabbed an early opener and drove his team through a sticky patch in the second half to get over the line.
BUKAYO SAKA – 7
Lively, but largely wasteful in the first half. Was on the end of an awful studs up challenge by Ryan Christie that went unpunished.
All was forgiven as he calmly slotted his penalty down the middle just before half time. Should have grabbed a second early in the second half with a rash first time shot.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 7
Had two great opportunities in the first 10 minutes, denied by some top blocks. Kept pushing and finally got his goal from a lightning counter-attack.
KAI HAVERTZ – 9
Elegant back-heel for White in the box to tee up a chance for Trossard and was provider again for Rice with a header before winning a penalty off of a Mark Travers lunge.
A proper nuisance with a soft touch to match. Set up Saka which should have made it 2-0 and involved in everything good about Arsenal. Mr Undroppable.
SUBS:
GABRIEL MARTINELLI (TROSSARD, 81) – 6
Put through on goal almost instantly but such is his form in front of goal, he wasted the chance. Sums him up right now – just off it.
GABRIEL JESUS (SAKA, 85) – N/A
Tactics Exposed: Why Kai Havertz is Arsenal’s most important player
By Dean Scoggins
KAI HAVERTZ endured a difficult start to life at the Emirates after his big-money move from Chelsea.
But has now well and truly found his feet.
The German, 24, has found his scoring boots in recent weeks, including his double against his old club.
But Havertz has been providing much more than goals in recent months.
In fact he has become Mikel Arteta’s most important player as Arsenal go for the title.
That’s after the Spanish boss made a genius tactical switch.
Read more on how Mikel Arteta is using Kai Havertz.
Or to watch the brilliant video in full on YouTube.