Arsenal fans have taken to social media to praise how Declan Rice helped to coax the best out of Oleksandr Zinchenko in their win away to AFC Bournemouth on Saturday.

The Gunners turned on the style in part thanks to two penalties to secure all three points at Dean Court. Martin Odegaard (44’) and Kai Havertz (53’) scored from the spot on either side of the break. Bukayo Saka (17’) broke the deadlock on the coast with a close-range header.

Saka was a potential doubt for the Premier League affair after suffering a knock to his foot in last Sunday’s north London derby. Rice also aggravated a back injury against Tottenham and, likewise, was unable to take part in Mikel Arteta’s sessions at London Colney prior to Friday.

Rice impresses Arsenal fans after overcoming a back injury

Concerns over Rice and Saka’s availability were thankfully eased as Arteta started the pair as Arsenal visited Bournemouth. Both players are instrumental to the Gunners’ hopes of lifting the Premier League title this term. So, any prolonged absences could have been devastating.

Saka and Rice have started all seven of Arsenal’s Premier League games so far this season. Their presences have also helped Arteta oversee an unbeaten start to the north Londoners’ campaign. Both have even also got in on the scoring with some crucial attempts in 2023/24.

Rice brought the best out of Zinchenko at Bournemouth

But it was not another goal like Rice’s stoppage-time effort against Manchester United that a number of fans took note of as Arsenal beat Bournemouth. Instead, some fans took to social media to hail Rice for how the 24-year-old was able to get the best out of Zinchenko’s game.

Numerous Gunners supporters loved how the 45-cap England anchor’s presence in Arteta’s engine room allowed Zinchenko to push into more threatening areas. Rice regularly covered the yards to afford the left-back room to produce what some felt was his best game in ages.

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