In the aftermath of a thrilling but ultimately heartbreaking 2-3 defeat to league leaders Arsenal at the Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth’s star forward Antoine Semenyo delivered one of the most glowing post-match tributes seen in the Premier League this season.
The Ghanaian international, who is reportedly on the verge of a £65 million move to Manchester City, singled out Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice as the standout performer who dismantled his side’s hopes.
Semenyo’s words came during his post-match interview, where he spoke candidly about the England international’s dominant display: “Since I joined Bournemouth, I have never faced a player as talented as him.
He caused us a lot of problems; even though we played our best, he still gave us no chance to win.” The quote quickly spread across social media and football forums, highlighting just how much impact Rice had in a match that saw Arsenal come from behind to claim a vital victory and extend their lead at the top of the table to six points.
A Dramatic Encounter at the Vitality Stadium
The match, played on January 3, 2026 (with reports circulating the following day), was a rollercoaster from start to finish. Bournemouth, who had done the double over Arsenal the previous season, started brightly and took a shock lead in the 10th minute.
Arsenal centre-back Gabriel Magalhães made a rare error, gifting possession to Bournemouth striker Evanilson, who calmly rolled the ball into an empty net past David Raya.
However, Arsenal responded almost immediately. Just six minutes later, Noni Madueke – making one of his first starts since returning from injury – embarked on a mazy run that created chaos in the Bournemouth box.
The ball eventually fell to Gabriel, who made amends for his earlier mistake by smashing home the equaliser to make it 1-1.
The first half remained tense, with Bournemouth threatening on the counter and Arsenal struggling to find rhythm. Semenyo himself was a constant menace, nearly scoring early and drawing fouls, while also walking a disciplinary tightrope after receiving a yellow card.
The game turned decisively in the second half. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s adjustments paid dividends as Declan Rice took centre stage.
In the 54th minute, following good hold-up play from Viktor Gyökeres (a recent signing adding physicality to the Gunners’ attack), Martin Ødegaard found Rice in space, and the former West Ham man rifled a powerful shot past Kepa Arrizabalaga (on loan or otherwise featuring for Bournemouth) to put Arsenal 2-1 ahead.
Rice wasn’t done there. In the 71st minute, substitute Bukayo Saka – who came on as part of a triple change – delivered a precise cross, and Rice powered home a header to complete a rare Premier League brace and make it 3-1.
It was his first double in 296 league appearances, underscoring his growing influence as one of the division’s elite midfielders.
Bournemouth refused to lie down. Substitute Eli Junior Kroupi, the 19-year-old French wonderkid, reduced the deficit with a stunning long-range strike in the 76th minute to make it 2-3 and set up a tense finale.
The Cherries pushed for an equaliser, but Arsenal’s defence held firm, securing a fifth consecutive win and their seventh straight victory across all competitions to start 2026 in style.
Why Declan Rice Earned Such High Praise
Declan Rice’s performance was nothing short of masterful. Operating in a more advanced role at times, he dictated tempo, won duels, broke up play, and contributed offensively with two crucial goals.
His brace took his season tally to double figures in all competitions, cementing his status as a genuine contender for Premier League Player of the Season.
For Semenyo – Bournemouth’s top scorer this term with nine league goals and three assists, plus league-leading figures in shots, touches in the opposition box, and passes into the final third – to admit that Rice was the best opponent he had faced since arriving from Bristol City speaks volumes.
The Ghanaian has battled against top talents like Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, and Mohamed Salah, yet none left him as impressed as Rice did on this occasion.
Rice’s relentless energy, positional intelligence, and ability to influence both ends of the pitch frustrated Bournemouth’s attacking transitions.
Even when the Cherries looked dangerous on fast breaks (where they lead the league with seven goals from counters this season), Rice was often the man sweeping up danger or launching Arsenal forward.
Semenyo’s Future and the Bigger Picture
The praise for Rice came amid intense speculation about Semenyo’s own future. The 25-year-old has been heavily linked with a January move to Manchester City, with reports suggesting advanced talks and Bournemouth willing to activate his £65m release clause before January 10.
Manager Andoni Iraola praised Semenyo as a “top professional” who gave everything despite the transfer noise, and the winger started and played the full match against Arsenal.
Interestingly, some pundits have speculated that City might prefer Semenyo to feature against Arsenal (their direct title rivals) to potentially disrupt the Gunners’ momentum before completing the deal. Whether intentional or not, Semenyo’s influence was clear, but Rice’s dominance ultimately proved decisive.
For Arsenal, the win keeps them firmly in the driver’s seat. They now sit six points clear of second-placed Aston Villa and seven ahead of Manchester City (who face Chelsea next). Next up for the Gunners is a blockbuster home clash against Liverpool on Thursday, followed by FA Cup action.
Bournemouth, meanwhile, remain in 15th place but with a nine-point buffer over the relegation zone. They host Tottenham on Wednesday, hoping to snap a 10-game winless run in the league.
A Tribute That Resonates
Semenyo’s words will likely follow Declan Rice for the rest of the season. In a league full of superstars, being called the most talented opponent by one of the Premier League’s breakout talents is a badge of honour.
As Rice continues to evolve into Arsenal’s heartbeat under Arteta, performances like this one remind everyone why he was signed for big money and why he could be the key to ending the club’s long wait for a title.
The match may be remembered for Rice’s brace and Arsenal’s resilience, but it will also be etched in memory for Semenyo’s honest, heartfelt praise – a rare moment of admiration from a defeated player that transcends rivalry and highlights the beauty of the game.
