Declan Rice enjoys the chance to chase the Premier League leaders Liverpool after he helped Arsenal on Sunday to a 5-1 Thrashing of Champions Manchester City.
Rice played a crucial role in the Gunners triumph in the Emirates Stadium and took two assists in the second half for teenage duo Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri.
The international of England also created more opportunities (four) than all his Arsenal teammates, while only Gabriel Magalhaes (71) and Thomas Partey (63) had more accents during the Mikel Arteta side.
In the result, Arsenal extended their undefeated run to 14 consecutive top matches (W9 D5), something that they last managed in 2018 under Unai Emery (also a series of 14).
But even more important, they closed the gap to Liverpool on top to six points and viewed the side of Arne Slot Bournemouth on Saturday.
The OPTA Supercomputer only hands Arsenal a 10.3% chance to lift their first Premier League title since 2003-04, but Rice is convinced that his team can overcome the opportunities.
“Liverpool is still quite far in front, especially with the game in hand and with those who win yesterday, you know that you are going to win that you have to win,” Rice told Sky Sports.
“It is more disappointing the games like Aston Villa when we were 2-0 and dropped points because we could be closer to Liverpool there.
“But we will be there, and we will continue to push. We need others to help, but we know what the goal is and that is to detect them and win the Premier League.
“We have to stay positive, and I am sure it will be fine.”
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, who received the score in just the second minute, echoed the thoughts of his fellow midfielder after the full-time whistle.
The Gunners have dropped points on Everton, Brighton and Aston Villa in recent weeks, but Odegaard insisted that Arsenal can beat someone in the Premier League on their day.
“There is a lot of pressure in this game, but we have played a brilliant game. We know that we can beat every team, and today we showed that.”
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