Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has hailed the impact of Martin Zubimendi after Arsenal’s 3-2 victory against Bournemouth on Saturday evening.
Bournemouth took the lead after 10 minutes when Gabriel Magalhaes’ poor pass found Evanilson, who was given a simple finish with David Raya out of his goal.
But, Gabriel got Arsenal level six minutes later before a second-half brace from Rice took the game to 3-1.
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Junior Kroupi’s superb strike for Bournemouth set up a nervy finish but Arsenal held on late to go six points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.
Zubimendi, meanwhile, delivered another impressive display in the middle of the park and Rice paid tribute to the player after the game.
‘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 Viktor Gyokeres, who has scored only one goal in his last nine games for Arsenal.
‘It’s tough for him, because he’s got two defenders on him all game, all over him,’ Rice said.
‘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.
‘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.’
