Charles Watts

Declan Rice scored two superb second-half goals as Arsenal came from behind to seal a dramatic 3-2 success at Bournemouth and move seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table. Rice, who was a doubt leading up to the game after missing the midweek victory against Aston Villa due to a knee injury, showed once again how crucial he is to Mikel Arteta's table-toppers with his decisive strikes which ensured the Gunners kicked off 2026 with a win.

Lucky Arsenal were let off the hook in dramatic style as they claimed a 2-1 win against Wolves thanks to two own goals from the Premier League's basement boys, with Yerson Mosquera heading what proved to be the winner past his own keeper Sam Johnstone deep into stoppage time at the Emirates. Mikel Arteta's league leaders looked to have dropped two costly points when Mateus Mane glanced a header past David Raya with just seconds remaining to cancel out Arsenal's opener, which had come when Bukayo Saka's inswinging corner had struck the far post and gone in off the back of the unfortunate Johnstone.

Emi Buendia struck with the last kick of the game to earn Aston Villa a 2-1 win against Arsenal and condemn Mikel Arteta's Premier League leaders to a first defeat in 19 games in all competitions. It looked like the Gunners had battled back to claim a hard-earned point when Leandro Trossard came off the bench to cancel out Matty Cash's first-half opener, but substitute Buendia was on hand to fire in a dramatic winner in the final seconds of stoppage time to move Villa to within three points of the top of the table.

Mikel Merino was the hero yet again for Arsenal, picking up a goal and an assist as the Premier League leaders saw off a stubborn Brentford side 2-0 at the Emirates to restore their five-point advantage over second-placed Manchester City. The Spain international, still playing as Mikel Arteta's makeshift striker, scored a fine header early on to open the scoring and then set up substitute Bukayo Saka in the closing stages to wrap up a crucial win for the Gunners.

Mikel Merino salvaged a 1-1 draw for Premier League leaders Arsenal, but they will feel like this was two-points dropped against a Chelsea side who were reduced to 10 men after just 38 minutes when Moises Caicedo was sent off. In an extremely feisty London derby that was littered with early yellow cards, it was no real surprise to see a dismissal, with Caicedo seeing red for a brutal tackle on Merino seven minutes before the interval.

Bukayo Saka and William Saliba want to 'remain' at Arsenal and play a 'big part' in the club's history, according to Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta - who has also revealed that Saliba could return from injury early in time for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest.

Arsenal kept up the pressure on their Premier League title rivals with a hard fought 1-0 win at Fulham courtesy of Leandro Trossard's second-half goal. The Gunners never looked like dropping points and relied on their prowess from set-pieces to get the job done, with Bukayo Saka, who caused the hosts all sorts of problems during the 90 minutes, creating the winning goal with a delicious corner.

Declan Rice came back to haunt West Ham once again as the former Hammer opened the scoring against his old club to help Arsenal to a 2-0 victory which sent them to the top of the Premier League table. Bukayo Saka was also on target but there was to be more injury agony for Martin Odegaard, as he once again had to leave the pitch prematurely in what's proving to be a bit of a nightmare start to the season on a personal level.

The Gunners had to endure some nervy moments as they beat Olympiacos and made it two wins from two to start their Champions League campaign

A late goal from the captain ensured Mikel Arteta's side finished their campaign with three points on the south coast

Another draw for Mikel Arteta's side leaves Liverpool just one point away from securing the Premier League title

Mikel Arteta's side are through to the semifinals after a historic 5-1 aggregate win against the 15-time European champions

Mikel Arteta's side saw two more points slip away at Goodison Park after being pegged back in controversial fashion

Mikel Arteta's side edged a tight London derby at the Emirates Stadium thanks to the Spain international's first-half header

The Gunners fought back from a goal behind at Old Trafford, but Mikel Arteta's side still dropped further behind runaway leaders Liverpool

The Gunners were toothless up front once again as they were held to a frustrating stalemate at the City Ground

The Gunners moved to within four points of Premier League leaders Liverpool thanks to two late second-half goals at the King Power Stadium

The Italian full-back's goal gave the north Londoners a crucial win in a highly controversial clash at Molineux