Arsenal’s title chase continues as Declan Rice and Kai Havertz prove their worth in Manchester City chase

LONDON – Another year, another 98-minute spell to leave the Emirates Stadium in raptures. This time, however, it was not a miraculous comeback that Arsenal celebrated, but rather a consummate performance that means they are going nowhere as the title race turns into the home stretch.

There is no need, this time, for Reiss Nelson’s heroism. Mikel Arteta and Edu have seen to that this summer with a recruitment spree that increasingly bears signs of a masterstroke. Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and, with a little help from VAR Peter Bankes, David Raya ensured Bournemouth didn’t come as close to picking up a point as they did on their last visit to N5. What seemed like the toughest job on the fixture list – and probably was on a few occasions in the second half – was handled with a sophistication and muscularity that had long since deserted Arsenal at this stage of last season.

At the forefront of this performance were Havertz and Rice. The former won the controversial penalty that allowed Bukayo Saka to translate “the best first half of the season” into a one-goal lead. The latter provided the assist for the second and set up the third, which left Arsenal four points clear of Manchester City. Increasingly, these two look like exemplars of what Arteta always wanted this team to be, a team that will not only outplay you, but can outplay you and steal your lunch money.

They peaked in the final stretch, while Raya didn’t waver either. As happened six days ago at Tottenham, his performance was not without errors. Another referee and his video assistant may have concluded that there was not enough pressure put on him by Dominic Solanke to make him miss a punch that resulted in Antoine Semenyo throwing the ball into the net. As so often happens with Raya, however, this incident did not throw him off course, as might have happened with his predecessor between the sticks. Now a man whose season started four games late and who lost two games against parent club Brentford has won the Golden Glove weeks to spare.

Arsenals summer transfers carry the load

Arsenal have undergone big changes this summer. None of them were universally celebrated, not even by me. Could Rice contribute in a more advanced role when Thomas Partey or Jorginho started? A return of eight assists and seven goals, one more than Granit Xhaka produced in his excellent swan song, answers that. Did Raya constitute a significant upgrade on Aaron Ramsdale? The composure with which he prevented Bournemouth from leaving in the second half spoke of the qualities Arsenal lacked.

Then there was Havertz’s great enigma. A very expensive recovery project for a player whose spirit was crushed at Stamford Bridge? “I enjoy every second,” said the German about life under Arteta, who found himself without superlatives for his center forward. “He taught me a lot of good things, especially in the beginning when it was difficult for me. I’m very happy to be here.” Arsenal are very happy to have him, a fighter dressed in the languid clothes of a playmaker.

A summer of bold, aggressive decisions was vindicated once again, even as what appeared to be the shrewdest choice – defender Jurrien Timber – missed almost 50 minutes of the league season.

“If we spend money, it’s better to do it wisely and in the most effective way! We are very happy with the recruitment we had. It had a great impact on the team, it raised not only the level of the team but also the level of the other players”, said Arteta after the match.

Each of his summer hires received flowers. The defense that Raya anchors “gives us a huge base to be closer to winning trophies”. The “unbelievable” Havertz was celebrated for “his timing, his movements, the way he holds the ball, the way he goes to the press, the way he connects the game, his understanding of the game”.

Even Rice, a man hired to be the “lighthouse” of this Arsenal team, caught Arteta by surprise with his ability to oscillate between midfield anchor and dynamo. “He did it. Credit to him. Even when we move him from position to position, it’s not easy to adapt to that, so I think he deserves a lot of credit for that.”

Like Bowie in the 70s, Prince in the 80s or Dua in the 20s, Arsenal’s recruitment is scam after scam after scam. Leandro Trossard, the man who calmed second-half nerves with the most composed finish of the day, is averaging 0.85 non-penalty goals and assists per 90 minutes since leaving Brighton in January 2023. That’s not just the leading mark at the Emirates Stadium, it is a record surpassed by only five players in the league. Between Mohamed Salah and Ollie Watkins, it’s not a bad landing spot for the second-choice signing to offer depth behind Saka and Gabriel Martinelli. That same window brought in Jorginho and Jakub Kiwior, who both had spells of good form and looked invincible this season.

Standards are rising so quickly in these parts that transformative additions like Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus are fighting for their long-term future. The latter at least did no damage after his introduction in the 87th minute, his quick feet helping Rice to the third.

All this excellence on the field and in the market may not be enough this season. The only thing Arsenal can do for now is keep asking City if they can win the next game. Even if they can’t get over the final hurdle, Arteta and Edu will go again this summer. The form of Rice, Havertz and Raya suggests Arsenal will be an even greater force in the summer months.