Arsenal bolstered their Premier League title bid with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Bournemouth, extending their winning run in the competition to five matches.

Kicking off before Manchester City this weekend, the Gunners knew victory would allow them to apply pressure at the summit. However, that urgency initially worked against them, with Gabriel Magalhães culpable for the opener. A misplaced pass across the edge of his own area was intercepted by Evanilson, who calmly rolled the ball into an unguarded net.

Gabriel made swift amends at the other end, rising at the far post to smash the ball into the roof of the net after Gabriel Martinelli’s goal-bound effort had been blocked on the line.

Despite drawing level, Arsenal struggled to impose themselves before the break. Bournemouth were the more energetic side, with Justin Kluivert narrowly missing the target from a long-range free-kick, while Evanilson and Marcus Tavernier both tested David Raya as pressure mounted on the Arsenal goal.

The hosts were unusually wasteful in the final third during a subdued first-half display, showing signs of fatigue amid a demanding festive schedule.

Arsenal emerged with renewed purpose after the interval and quickly turned the contest on its head. Within 10 minutes of the restart, a slick attacking move ended with Martin Ødegaard teeing up Declan Rice, who swept a composed finish home from the edge of the area to give the Gunners the lead for the first time.

Mikel Arteta’s triple substitution midway through the second half proved decisive. One of the introductions, Bukayo Saka, burst beyond the Bournemouth back line before squaring for Rice, who clinically dispatched his second goal of the night.

Bournemouth responded late on through one of their own substitutes, Eli Junior Kroupi, who rifled a strike from the edge of the box to reduce the deficit and set up a nervy finale.

The Cherries pushed in search of an equaliser, but Arsenal held firm to secure three crucial points, a result that provisionally opens up a six-point advantage at the top of the Premier League table.

For Bournemouth, the defeat extends their winless run to 11 matches, deepening concerns as their slide down the table continues.