Rice says Arsenal 'could've scored 10' against Spurs
Declan Rice said that Arsenal could've scored 10 goals against Tottenham in the north London derby with better luck.
A 44th-minute goal from Leandro Trossard proved to be the winner as the Gunners edged Spurs 2-1 to move four points behind Premier League leader Liverpool.
A Dominic Solanke own goal had initiated Arsenal's comeback after Spurs captain Son Heung-min opened the scoring against the run of play in the 25th minute.
"You can tell that it meant more than anything. From the first minute. The first half was pure domination. We showed the intent, the pressure, the desire, you could tell it was a derby," Rice said.
"I think we were probably unlucky that we didn't score 10 tonight. That is the feeling."
Rice forced a save out of Spurs goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky in the 73rd minute, while Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard and Trossard also passed up chances to increase the home side's advantage.
Tottenham, meanwhile, struck the woodwork through Pedro Porro in second-half stoppage time.
"When you play Spurs you know what it means to the fans. As a player, if you can't get up for Spurs, then you shouldn't be playing football. You need to have that fire in your belly," Rice said.
It was Arsenal's fifth double over its London rival during the Premier League era, having also beaten Spurs 1-0 in the reverse fixture in September.
"The three points is the most important thing. Hopefully, now we can go on a run because this is the most important part of the season," the 26 year-old saidd.
The result puts pressure on frontrunner Liverpool, which dropped points in a 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest on Wednesday but have a game in hand over the Gunners.
"We were outstanding. From the first minute we were really at it, really intense. We played with a real purpose of hurting them. We created an unbelievable atmosphere," Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said.
"When you have opportunities [to close the gap] you have to take them. We are on a really consistent run in the Premier League."
Arteta's side, on a 11-match unbeaten run in the top flight, will host Aston Villa on Sunday.
