Rice: Arsenal could have scored four or five against Napoli

The England midfielder says the scoreline flattered Napoli after Arsenal's 1-0 win at the Maradona, and calls it the hottest match he has played for the club.

by Gennaro SanninoThursday 10 September, 19:18 CET· 2 hours ago

Rice con la maglia del Arsenal — Foto: sportellate.it

Martin Odegaard's 75th-minute goal, set up by substitute Tzolis, settled Napoli-Arsenal 0-1 on Wednesday at the Maradona. Declan Rice thinks the scoreline undersold his side.

"I think we could have scored four or five if we'd been a bit more clinical in front of goal," Rice told the club's official channels. "It's rare to get so many chances in the six-yard box, so we can definitely improve there. But credit to the way we created those chances, our play, the rotations and the fluidity."

Rice also flagged the conditions at Fuorigrotta: "It was probably the hottest game I've ever played for Arsenal. It reminded me a lot of the World Cup — high humidity, a dry, heavy pitch, which makes everything harder." Despite the heat, he said, the team looked "fit and athletically strong" — a claim the match stats back up, with Napoli managing just 5 shots to Arsenal's 26 and no corners at all.

An incredible goal, everyone was involved with a constant exchange of passes. Thanks again to Martin, and I'm delighted for him: a huge goal and three valuable points.