Arsenal's Rice voted Player of the Matchweek

A graphic of Declan Rice as the Matchweek 20 Player of the Matchweek

Midfielder tops fan poll for best Premier League performance in 20th round of matches

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has been voted the Premier League Player of the Matchweek for Matchweek 20.

The England international starred in Arsenal's 3-2 comeback victory away at AFC Bournemouth, after he scored twice within 17 minutes to send Mikel Arteta's side six points clear at the top of the table. 

Rice, who missed last week's 4-1 win over Aston Villa with injury, returned to Arsenal's starting XI with a bang.

The midfielder gave the Gunners the lead with a cultured finish just outside the box, before turning in substitute Bukayo Saka's cutback minutes later to claim his first-ever Premier League brace. 

Alongside his two goals, Rice had eight recoveries, three tackles, three clearances and created one chance in a dominant midfield display.  

Watch highlights of Rice's Matchweek 20 performance

This is the third time an Arsenal star has been named Player of the Matchweek, following last week's success of Leandro Trossard, and Eberechi Eze in Matchweek 12.

Rice picked up 46 per cent of the fan vote, while his closest challenger, Brentford striker Igor Thiago had 21 per cent.  

The other nominees were Wolverhampton Wanderers youngster Mateus Mane (18 per cent), Villa midfielder John McGinn (10 per cent) and Newcastle United centre-back Malick Thiaw (five per cent).

2025/26 Player of the Matchweek winners

MW20: Declan Rice (Arsenal)
MW19: Leandro Trossard (Arsenal)
MW18: Patrick Dorgu (Man Utd)
MW17: Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)
MW16: Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool)
MW15: Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd)
MW14: Gabriel Gudmundsson (Leeds)
MW13: Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd)
MW12: Eberechi Eze (Arsenal)
MW11: Jeremy Doku (Man City)
MW10: Moises Caicedo (Chelsea)
MW9: Bryan Mbeumo (Man Utd)
MW8: Harry Maguire (Man Utd)
MW7: Moises Caicedo (Chelsea)
MW6: Erling Haaland (Man City)
MW5: Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool)
MW4: Lucas Bergvall (Spurs)
MW3: Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool)
MW2: Joao Palhinha (Spurs)
MW1:
 Richarlison (Spurs)

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