Match report

Arsenal Secures Narrow Win Over Bournemouth 3–2

Bournemouth
Bournemouth
2–3
FT
Arsenal
Arsenal
Jan 3, 2026

Arsenal edged out Bournemouth with a thrilling 3–2 win at the Vitality Stadium. Despite an early goal from Evanilson, Arsenal's response was immediate and powerful through Gabriel Magalhães and Declan Rice, who scored twice to give them control of the game. Although E.J. Kroupi narrowed the gap for Bournemouth late in the match, Arsenal held on to secure crucial points in their Premier League campaign.

Key Facts

  • • Evanilson (Bournemouth) opened the scoring at minute 10.
  • • Gabriel Magalhães equalized for Arsenal just six minutes later.
  • • Declan Rice scored two goals, assisted by M. Ødegaard and B. Saka respectively.
  • • E.J. Kroupi reduced the deficit for Bournemouth with a goal in the 76th minute.

Lineups

Bournemouth

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 1 D. Petrovic (G)
  • 20 A. Jimenez (D)
  • 23 J. Hill (D)
  • 5 M. Senesi (D)
  • 3 A. Truffert (D)
  • 8 A. Scott (M)
  • 16 M. Tavernier (M)
  • 24 A. Semenyo (M)
  • 19 J. Kluivert (M)
  • 7 D. Brooks (M)
  • 9 Evanilson (F)

Substitutes

  • 17 F. Forster
  • 4 L. Cook
  • 6 J. Soler
  • 15 A. Smith
  • 18 B. Diakite
  • 21 A. Adli
  • 22 E. J. Kroupi
  • 26 E. Unal
  • 50 R. Rees-Dottin

Arsenal

Formation: 4-3-3

Starting XI

  • 1 D. Raya (G)
  • 12 J. Timber (D)
  • 2 W. Saliba (D)
  • 6 Gabriel (D)
  • 5 P. Hincapie (D)
  • 8 M. Odegaard (M)
  • 36 M. Zubimendi (M)
  • 41 D. Rice (M)
  • 20 N. Madueke (F)
  • 14 V. Gyökeres (F)
  • 11 G. Martinelli (F)

Substitutes

  • 13 K. Arrizabalaga
  • 4 B. White
  • 49 M. Lewis-Skelly
  • 16 C. Norgaard
  • 23 M. Merino
  • 10 E. Eze
  • 7 B. Saka
  • 19 L. Trossard
  • 9 Gabriel Jesus

Timeline

  1. Bournemouth
    10' Bournemouth Goal · Normal Goal
    Evanilson
  2. Arsenal
    16' Arsenal Goal · Normal Goal
    Gabriel Magalhães
  3. Bournemouth
    26' Bournemouth Card · Yellow Card
    A. Semenyo

    Foul

  4. Arsenal
    54' Arsenal Goal · Normal Goal
    Declan Rice · Assist: M. Ødegaard
  5. Arsenal
    66' Arsenal subst · Substitution 1
    Off: V. Gyökeres · On: Gabriel Jesus
  6. Bournemouth
    67' Bournemouth subst · Substitution 1
    Off: D. Brooks · On: A. Adli
  7. Arsenal
    67' Arsenal subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Noni Madueke · On: B. Saka
  8. Arsenal
    67' Arsenal subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Gabriel Martinelli · On: L. Trossard
  9. Arsenal
    70' Arsenal Card · Yellow Card
    Martín Zubimendi

    Time wasting

  10. Arsenal
    71' Arsenal Goal · Normal Goal
    Declan Rice · Assist: B. Saka
  11. Bournemouth
    74' Bournemouth subst · Substitution 2
    Off: J. Kluivert · On: L. Cook
  12. Bournemouth
    74' Bournemouth subst · Substitution 3
    Off: A. Scott · On: E. J. Kroupi
  13. Bournemouth
    74' Bournemouth subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Evanilson · On: E. Unal
  14. Bournemouth
    76' Bournemouth Goal · Normal Goal
    E. J. Kroupi · Assist: L. Cook
  15. Bournemouth
    80' Bournemouth Card · Yellow Card
    E. J. Kroupi

    Foul

  16. Arsenal
    80' Arsenal subst · Substitution 4
    Off: M. Ødegaard · On: M. Merino
  17. Bournemouth
    90'+1 Bournemouth Card · Yellow Card
    A. Adli

    Foul

Match Stats

Stat Bournemouth Arsenal
Fouls 13 8
Pass Accuracy 76% 80%
Offsides 1 1
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 15 12
Corners 7 5
Total Passes 339 462
Yellow Cards 3 1
Blocked Shots 5 4
Shots on Target 3 5
xG 1.43 1.13
Shots off Target 7 3
Possession 43% 57%
Goals Prevented 0 0
Accurate Passes 259 368
Shots Inside Box 5 7
Saves 2 1
Shots Outside Box 10 5

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Arsenal turned the match around with Gabriel Magalhães' early equalizer, calming their supporters and setting the stage for further action.
  • ▸ Declan Rice's second goal in the 71st minute sealed Arsenal's victory, despite Bournemouth's late fight back through Kroupi.