Social media users for Arsenal have praised Declan Rice for helping to bring out the best in Oleksandr Zinchenko during their Saturday away victory over AFC Bournemouth.

Two penalties helped the Gunners turn up the tempo and win all three points at Dean Court. Before the interval, goals were scored from the penalty by Martin Odegaard (44′) and Kai Havertz (53′). Bukayo Saka (17′) used a close-range header to break the tie on the coast.

Saka might have been questionable for the Premier League match following a blow to his foot in the north London derby on Sunday. Additionally, Rice worsened a back problem against Tottenham and missed Mikel Arteta’s practices at London Colney before Friday.

Thankfully, worries about Rice and Saka’s availability were allayed when Arteta started the two when Arsenal played Bournemouth. The Gunners’ chances of winning the Premier League this season depend heavily on both individuals. Therefore, any extended absences might have been disastrous.

So far this season, Saka and Rice have started every one of Arsenal’s seven Premier League games. Their presence has also assisted Arteta in leading the north Londoners to an undefeated start to their campaign. With some significant attempts in 2023–2024, both have even contributed to the scoring.

However, many supporters did not see another goal like Rice’s stoppage-time strike against Manchester United as Arsenal defeated Bournemouth. Rather, some admirers praised Rice on social media for his ability to maximize Zinchenko’s potential. Rice is 24 years old.

Many Gunners fans were thrilled with the way Zinchenko was able to press deeper into dangerous areas because of the 45-cap England anchor’s presence in Arteta’s engine room. In order to give the left-back room to play what some thought was his greatest game in a long time, Rice routinely covered the yards.