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Declan Rice believes Arsenal need to maintain "perspective" over their position in the Premier League - but admits they will need to return to winning ways quickly to silence their critics.
Pressure has increased on the Gunners this week after they threw away a 2-0 lead at the Premier League's bottom club, Wolves, to draw 2-2.
It has cut their lead to five points over Manchester City, with Pep Guardiola's side having a game in hand and a home match against Arsenal to come in April.
It has led to some asking whether Mikel Arteta's side can hold on to top spot and win their first Premier League title in 22 years, having fallen short over the last few seasons.
When asked if that scrutiny could be having an impact, Rice exclusively told Sky Sports: "We're first and [there is] outside noise. I've found some people want to talk it up.
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"We're on our own journey, we're on our own path and we fully believe in each other. We want to do it because we've got such a good core group, such quality players now that we can do it. It shows that we can flick a page in terms of people talking about that mentality.
"One thing that stuck with me after the Manchester United game, the manager talked about looking at the position that we've earned for ourselves. We have to enjoy this.
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"And we enjoy it every day. Of course you do. This is our job - we're playing for Arsenal, we're in the final of the [Carabao] Cup, in the next round of the FA Cup, in the [last 16 of the] Champions League, first in the Premier League.
"We need some perspective about where we are, but also we need to look a bit bigger to understand that if we carry on doing what we're doing in terms of the results, it isn't going to last.
"It's on us as players to pick that up because we have it in us to win every game. I genuinely believe with this group, with what we've done here before, we could go on the run and easily win games.
"But it's on us. We've got to be switched on. You're going to be ready for everything that's thrown at you because that's what is needed for these final games."
Rice on the north London derby...
"The north London derby is always special. I've been able to play in a few of them now and understand the rivalry, understand who you're playing against and what it means.
"Sunday isn't just going to be about football, it's going to be about how much you want it as well. You're going away to Spurs, they have a new manager, they've had loads of injuries, but it's going to be a game both of us are going to want to win.
"But that day, it's all in your mind – ‘how much do you really want it?’. You've got to fight for it and trust me, I want it."
Rice reveals dressing-room talks after Wolves draw
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Rice also offered an insight into what the Arsenal dressing room was like after Wednesday's draw at Molineux, suggesting that some home truths may have been shared between the players.
He said: "You see a lot of talk of 'what's it going to be like in the changing room? What are players going to be saying to each other?'
"Trust me, if you were in there the other night, you would see how much it means to us [as players]. That's the level we need to be at, because if you want to win things, you need to be able to demand stuff of each other and say truths in the moment.
"I've had it done to me, other players have had them done to themselves in their time and that's just part of trying to build a winning culture.
"That's where the manager comes in, because he always has different angles, puts perspective on things and he's really calm.
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"From the moment I came in to the moment where we're at now, I've seen a big difference in terms of after games, and the mentality of the boys, that if things aren't right, things will get brought up.
"Things will get said in the moment, even if it's heated, but five to 10 minutes after that, you'll shake hands and it's over - that's what it's about.
"I think the other night that was needed, because at 2-0, we should have won the game. We know the position we're in. It was disappointing [vs Wolves], it was not nice, but we've come in now and we're ready to go for Spurs."
Rice to hit PL century for Arsenal this weekend
North London derbies do not need much to mark them out as special games, but midfielder Rice will remember Sunday's match, live on Sky Sports, as the one where he marked 100 Premier League appearances for Arsenal.
Reflecting on his time with the Gunners so far, he said: "I've just tried to work as hard as I can and give it everything I've got. I watched a podcast of Steven Gerrard with Rio Ferdinand the other week, and he was talking about himself as a midfielder.
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"He didn't put him down to that one thing. He said he's a midfielder that could have done a bit of everything, but he was the best at doing everything. He's someone that I look up to because of how he was on the pitch, his demeanour, how he took games by the scruff of the neck, the fight he showed, the passion.
"Over the years, I've tried to watch him as much as possible and I think I've started to grow into that much more. I'm still a long way off before I hit his level, but he's someone I've tried to emulate since I've moved into this box-to-box role and it's really helped me.
"One hundred games for Arsenal in the Premier League is special... but there is much more to come from me. This season's been amazing, there's still so much more football to be played, but I do think I can still go to more levels."
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