Arsenal kept a clean sheet to beat Bournemouth 3-2 on Saturday (Getty Images) Arsenal kept a clean sheet to beat Bournemouth 3-2 on Saturday to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League as Aston Villa extended their winning streak at home. A goal from Gabriel Magalhaes and two from the returning Declan Rice sent the Gunners six points ahead of second-placed Villa and seven ahead of Manchester City.Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta hailed the character of his side, singling out Rice and Gabriel, whose sloppy passing denied Bournemouth the opening goal.
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“I love the character of Gabriel, the way he overcame that situation – it’s just unbelievable, it says a lot about how much we’ve grown,” he told Sky Sports.“The team found a way to beat them and it’s a huge win.The Spaniard said Rice was working hard to be available after missing Tuesday’s 4-1 home win against Villa with a knee problem.“He pushed himself to the limit and the team was rewarded with two great goals,” he added.Evanilson gave an impressive Bournemouth an early lead when he slotted home after Gabriel’s mistake, but the Brazilian defender made amends just minutes later to convert Noni Madueke’s drive to the touchline.England midfielder Rice put the Gunners forward in the 54th minute from the edge of the area to give them breathing space with around 20 minutes remaining.Junior Kroupi brought Bournemouth back into the game with a thunderous right-footed finish but Arsenal held on for a fifth straight Premier League win – and kept them firmly on course for a first English title since 2004.– the homely comfort of a villa –Earlier, Unai Emery’s Villa bounced back from a punishing defeat at Arsenal to beat Nottingham Forest 3-1 to record an 11th straight home win in all competitions.England forward Ollie Watkins gave Villa a deserved half-time lead with a powerful strike from just outside the area and John McGinn scored twice in the second half, either side of a Morgan Gibbs-White goal.Villa boss Emery said his players and coaching staff met after being at the Emirates Stadium.“I’m so happy,” he said. “We had to restore our energy and confidence. Here at Villa Park, the energy we create has been really important.”“Forest are competitive. After the Arsenal game we met — players and staff — (and discussed) how we’re doing this season, how we feel, how we needed to keep the same consistency as before, how we needed to be together and strong.Sean Dyche’s Forest, who have now suffered four consecutive defeats, remain one place above the relegation zone, four points ahead of West Ham, who slumped to a devastating 3-0 defeat at Molineux.Relegation-threatened West Ham traveled to face winless basement club Wolves in desperate need of a win.Jhon Arias put the home side ahead and Hwang Hee-chan doubled their advantage from the penalty spot just after the half-hour mark.Teenager Mateus Mane scored his first Premier League goal shortly before half-time but went on to secure Rob Edwards’ side their first league win of the season.Nuno Espirito Santo’s Hammers are in danger of dropping to the bottom of the Premier League alongside Wolves and Burnley.“Everyone has to think, think and question themselves,” Nuno said. “It’s about actions. It was very bad, very bad.”Wolves, who drew with Manchester United in midweek, remain 12 points from safety.“We are improving and progressing and you saw that today,” Edwards told the BBC. “It’s another step in the right direction, that’s all, and it’s nice that it culminated in a win.”Elsewhere on Saturday, Brighton beat Burnley 2-0 to end a six-game winless run thanks to goals from Georginio Rutter and Yasin Ayari. City host managerless Chelsea on Saturday, with Liverpool and Manchester United also in action.
