Declan Rice hails 'unreal' Arsenal teammate after Bournemouth win

Declan Rice scored twice in Arsenal’s 3-2 win against Bournemouth (Getty)

Declan Rice hailed the impact of Martin Zubimendi after Arsenal ’s 3-2 win against Bournemouth on Saturday.

Bournemouth took the lead after just 10 minutes when Gabriel Magalhaes ’ wayward pass found Evanilson, who was given an easy finish with David Raya out of his goal.

Gabriel pulled Arsenal level six minutes later before a second-half double from Rice gave Mikel Arteta’s side a commanding advantage.

Junior Kroupi’s excellent strike for Bournemouth set up a nervy finish but Arsenal held on to go six points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.

Zubimendi, meanwhile, delivered another impressive performance at the heart of Arsenal’s midfield and Rice paid tribute to the club’s £60 million summer signing after the game.

Martin Zubimendi delivered another impressive performance in Arsenal’s midfield (Action Images via Reuters)

‘I think don’t underestimate to come from La Liga to come into this team,’ Rice told Sky Sports .

‘He’s not the biggest player or the strongest, but his brain, the way it works, allows the team to function in such a good way.

‘He’s been unreal. He’s played so many minutes for us, the way he gets on the ball, obviously he’s Spain’s No.6 at the minute and rightly so, you see the quality he brings, the calmness, the composure, the way he thinks.

‘It’s been great to play with him. I’m learning a lot and we’ve built a really good partnership, so long may that continue because we’re both young, we’re both fresh and we want to keep building that together.’

Rice also praised the performance of Viktor Gyokeres, who has scored just one goal in his last nine appearances for Arsenal.

‘It’s tough for him, because he’s got two defenders on him all game, all over him,’ Rice said.

Declan Rice insists Viktor Gyokeres is ‘doing unbelievably’ for Arsenal (AFP via Getty)

‘So he has to use his strength, he has to do all he can to help the team and with that goal, without him making that run from Gabi’s flick and holding it, setting it off to Martin, that goal wouldn’t happen.

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‘That was a pivotal moment in the game for us to turn the game on its head. I see how hard he hits a ball, and when that space arrives for him and the ball’s arriving at his feet to score goals, he will 100 per cent score.

‘But at the minute, defenders in the Premier League want to be able to stop Viktor Gyokeres, because he’s one of the best strikers in the world. Trust me, he’s doing unbelievably for us, we wouldn’t be where we are without him.’