Rice has continued to flourish for Arsenal in a more attacking midfield role – having initially been a defensive midfielder for West Ham, and when first moving to the Emirates.
This season he has played more passes into the box than any other Premier League player – 146.
He ranks in the top 10 for touches, chances created and times he has won possession.
Rice has four Premier League goals this season – only Viktor Gyokeres and Leandro Trossard (both five) have more for the Gunners – while Belgian forward Trossard is his only team-mate to top his three assists.
Meanwhile, Rice is the top-ranking Arsenal player for line-breaking passes (142) and progressive carries (188).
Arteta said: “He is extremely consistent on everything that you ask him to do, and that is what makes the difference.
“Firstly, he has the abilities and the qualities to achieve that, but then you need the consistency to do it, and he is doing it every single day, and then you see that kind of performance.”
On being told it was the first time he has scored twice in a league game, Rice told Sky Sports: “That’s a crazy stat.
“I haven’t scored a lot this season, I’d only scored two, so to grab a brace today in an important victory was a really nice feeling. When you win and you’re able to help out the team like I did today always adds that extra bit of a special feeling.”
Rice has scored five goals in 12 Premier League games against Bournemouth, more than double the goals he has scored against any other team in the league.
