Declan Rice has issued a passionate and unequivocal defence of his struggling Arsenal teammate, Viktor Gyokeres, following a tense 3-2 victory over Bournemouth that cemented the Gunners' position at the Premier League summit.
Rice's Rallying Cry for Under-Fire Forward
The hard-fought win at the Vitality Stadium on January 4, 2026 was overshadowed by another difficult outing for the club's headline summer signing. The Sweden international, Gyokeres, is now enduring a barren run of 12 consecutive matches without a goal from open play.
Despite the glaring statistic, Rice, who himself shook off a knee injury to start and score twice, was effusive in his praise. He highlighted the striker's selfless role in the team's crucial first goal, where Gyokeres occupied multiple defenders to create space.
"It's tough for him, because he's got two defenders on him all game, all over him," Rice explained. "So he has to use his strength, he has to do all he can to help the team and with my first goal... that goal wouldn't happen. That was a pivotal moment."
A World-Class Talent Under Scrutiny
With Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz returning to fitness and pushing for starts, Gyokeres faces increased competition for his place. However, Rice sees the intense defensive focus on the forward as a mark of his supreme quality, not a failing.
"I see how hard he hits a ball, and when that space arrives for him... he will 100 per cent score," Rice stated confidently. "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."
Rice concluded with a definitive message to any critics: "Trust me, he's doing unbelievably for us, and we wouldn't be where we are without him."
Arteta's Praise and Bournemouth's Silver Lining
Rice's magnificent two-goal performance, his first ever in the Premier League after 296 appearances, also drew high praise from manager Mikel Arteta. The Spaniard declared the 26-year-old England star must now be considered among the globe's elite midfielders.
For Bournemouth, their 11th straight league game without a win was slightly brightened by a spectacular 25-yard strike from 19-year-old Junior Kroupi, which set up a nervy finale. Teammate Marcus Tavernier hailed the youngster as a "generational talent" with an "unbelievable future".
While the spotlight remains firmly on Gyokeres' goal drought, Rice's emphatic public backing provides a powerful counter-narrative, insisting the striker's overall contribution remains vital to Arsenal's title charge.
