"It was remarkable": Arteta blown away by Arsenal star after 7 clearances vs Bournemouth, not Rice

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has heaped praise on Gabriel Magalhaes following the club’s 3-2 comeback win over Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday.

The Gunners extended their advantage at the top of the table to six points after a hard-fought win over the Cherries at the Vitality Stadium.

Declan Rice was the man of the match after his maiden league brace, but Magalhaes also played a big part in the victory on the South Coast.

The Brazil international made a massive blunder by gifting Evanilson with the opening goal, but he made amends within the space of six minutes.

The centre-back scored with a fine strike and went on to produce a solid defensive display thereafter.

Speaking after the game, Arteta said that Magalhaes made a big mistake in conceding the opening goal, but his reaction afterwards was ‘remarkable’.

He told Arsenal.com: “I really love today the next step of the team in terms of individual personality and presence.

I think what Gabriel Magalhaes has done after making a big mistake to concede the goal, the way he reacted to that, the way he played afterward, the way he transmitted energy after that, it was remarkable.”

Aside from his early equaliser, Gabriel had 71 touches in the game with a passing accuracy of 84 percent.

He won five ground and aerial duels and was vigilant at the back with seven clearances for the Gunners.

Arsenal looked on course for a comfortable 3-1 win at one stage, but they were made to work hard for the victory after Junior Kroupi’s late stellar strike.

The Gunners eventually secured a fifth-straight league win. They are now six points ahead of Aston Villa at the top and seven in front of Manchester City, who have a game in hand.

City entertain Chelsea in Sunday’s late kick-off, and Arsenal will hope that their London rivals can boost their title charge by denting City’s pursuit with another winless game.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com

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