Arsenal 2-0 (Total: 3-1) Bayer Leverkusen: The Premier League leaders returned home to London to see off the Germans, who reached the last eight of the Champions League thanks to goals from Eberechi Eze and Declan Rice.
Arsenal scored in either half and defeated Bayer Leverkusen.
Eberechi Eze’s stunning goal saw Arsenal beat Bayer Leverkusen at the Emirates and book their place in the Champions League quarter-finals.
The summer signing put the Gunners in control of the game and he produced a moment of magic from distance to equalize, but Declan Rice made the game safe with his first European goal of the season shortly after the break.
The Gunners quickly began to assert their dominance following last week’s first leg with a 1-1 draw at North London. Leverkusen’s goal scorer, Janis Blasvić, was called on several times to end the match goalless, denying Leandro Trossard with some quality saves.
However, the hosts’ attack was not denied and just before half-time Eze took aim and fired a shot past the goalkeeper from 20 yards out.
Although the German side had possession of the ball, they struggled to create clear-cut chances as David Raya’s abilities were rarely put to the test. Their lack of efficiency ultimately cost them as Rice doubled Arsenal’s lead. The midfielder took a neat touch and finished with his second touch from just outside the box.
read more: Arsenal’s path to the Champions League final suddenly becomes clearread more: Kyle Walker explains why Arsenal are not the most difficult team to play in the Premier League
His goal gave Arsenal some breathing room, and Mikel Arteta equalized with a quarter of the game remaining, reversing the standings. Kai Havertz, who scored a penalty in Germany a week ago, thought he put the ball in the net before it was chalked away, which is understandable for a handball. Here are five talking points from Emirates.
Eze with plenty of money
A word about the goal that broke the deadlock in north London. The Englishman looked worth every penny the Gunners spent to sign him from Crystal Palace in the summer. He has stepped up in style and could add his incredible goal in the Champions League to this year’s memorable moments.
Eberechi Eze’s stunning strike puts Emirates ahead
Eze will rarely hit a better shot than the one that brought Arsenal level for the first time. He continues to prove to be a huge asset to Arteta, playing as the team’s number 10 on Tuesday night and grabbing the spotlight ahead of some of their better players. That versatility is key for the Gunners, who continue to exude quality.
fly the flag for england
Talk of the Premier League dominating Europe quickly died down, with two games completed and one remaining by the end of Tuesday. While Manchester City and Chelsea both decided their Champions League hopes were over for at least another 12 months, Arsenal continued to press on.
There is still a possibility that only one of the six players who qualified will advance to the quarterfinals. Liverpool and Newcastle still have plenty of chances, but Tottenham not so much. The fact that even Arsenal were given a tough test by Leverkusen may underline that league form is not a prerequisite for starting to praise the quality of the domestic scene.
Declan Rice’s superb finish doubled Arsenal’s lead in the second half.
No problem even if there are no corners
The talk of Arsenal profiting from set-pieces shows no signs of letting up, but those within the four walls of the Emirates don’t seem to care at all. They have become kings of dead-ball situations, with Leverkusen joking on social media that they wanted to prevent the corner kick.
But the Gunners are not a team that relies solely on deliveries into the box, as Eze and Rice have proven. The pair showed power and precision and got their names on the scoresheet with impressive finishes.
perfect preparation
Arsenal are focused on keeping alive their hopes of qualifying for their first ever European Cup, with victory over Leverkusen giving them momentum going into Sunday, with their six-year wait for the trophy potentially ending when they face Man City in the Carabao Cup final.
With the first silver medal of the season secured, Arteta’s side can double their ambitions by seeing off City’s defeat to Real Madrid. Arsenal have a huge advantage over Josep Guardiola’s side in the Premier League and a win against them on Sunday could be the final nail in the coffin and the first part of an unprecedented quadruple turn.
Janice Blaswich was in great form before losing to Ebelesi Eze.
Yurmand’s Devil of London
Kasper Yurmand knows what it’s like to digest a knockout loss in England’s capital. He led the Danish national team for a number of years, leading them to a place in the last four at the postponed Euro 2020. Standing between England and the final were the Danes.
They took the lead in the semi-final at Wembley five years ago, but were ultimately overturned by the hosts. The referee who awarded England the crucial penalty that night was the one who blew the whistle again, but this time at the Emirates. The two stadiums are only 18 miles apart and Yurmand will be tired of losing in London.
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