With Naples in the grip of a heatwave and kick-off temperatures pushing 30 degrees, Arsenal's 1-0 win over Napoli was built on a slick 29-pass move finished by Ødegaard, whose shot came back off the post before crossing the line. Rice felt his side could have taken the game far further out of Napoli's reach.
"In my opinion, it could've been four or five tonight if we were a bit more clinical," Rice said. "It's rare you get that many chances inside the six-yard box, so we can improve on that front, but to generate those chances, the way we played, rotated, played with fluidity."
He was particularly pleased with the buildup to the only goal.
"The goal — it was just incredible. Everyone getting on the ball, touching it, pass and move, pass and move to open them up. We were probing all game up until that point, so to score that — Martin again — so happy for him, a massive goal and a big three points."
Rice also reflected on the physical toll of playing in such heat.
"That's probably the hottest game I've played in for Arsenal so far. It's actually like how it was at the World Cup — humid, the pitch was dry, heavy as well, so it makes it tougher, but to still play the way we did and perform the way we did, everyone looked really strong and really fit," he said.
The win made Napoli the first side to lose consecutive home European matches at the Maradona, adding another notable venue to a growing list of grounds Arsenal have conquered on the continent ahead of trips to Bayern Munich, Slavia Prague and Real Betis.
"I feel really lucky and blessed to play against these big historic teams," Rice said. "We've got some really big away games coming up in the Champions League we need to look forward to, we can't take anything for granted and we keep pushing. Momentum is key. Football is really good when you're winning matches, there's no better feeling."
Rice was especially pleased to see his captain among the goals again, with Ødegaard's strike his fourth of the 2026/27 campaign following an injury-hit previous season.
"He's always had the ability — just last year, he was so unlucky with his injuries, so unlucky to have two shoulder injuries, an MCL, knee issues," he said. "But when a player like that is fit and has that quality to play, he can shine in any team and for us he's so important.
"For him to score three goals in the season so far, it's massive for him but also unreal for us, because when he's at the top of his game he makes us a better team."