Mikel Arteta hails ‘magical’ Eberechi Eze after Arsenal star sinks Bayer Leverkusen
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Arsenal's Eberechi Eze celebrates scoring their first goal with Declan Rice and William Saliba.
PHOTO: REUTERS
LONDON – Mikel Arteta saluted Eberechi Eze’s moment of magic, as the Arsenal star’s thunderbolt inspired a 2-0 win against Bayer Leverkusen in their Champions League last-16, second leg on March 17.
The Spaniard’s side pounded the Bundesliga team right from the start at the Emirates Stadium and Eze ensured their dominance was rewarded with a blistering strike from the edge of the area late in the first half.
Declan Rice’s clinical finish after the interval sealed Arsenal’s 3-1 aggregate victory, setting up a quarter-final clash with Sporting Lisbon.
Eze’s first Champions League goal extended his recent revival, after a disappointing start to his first season with the Gunners following his summer move from Crystal Palace.
“We started the game so well and we were a threat from every angle. Their keeper kept them in the game and we needed a magical moment from Ebs (Eze) to give us the lead,” Arteta said.
“Ebs is playing every three days, he has rhythm, has an understanding with the players and this is why he is here. He is building an understanding with all of them and when you start to make key moments in games, that lifts your confidence.”
Rice was also influential for Arsenal as they completely outclassed Leverkusen.
The England midfielder, who bagged his first Champions League goal this season, drew praise from Arteta for pushing Arsenal to new heights.
“In the second half Declan’s action gave us the opportunity to win the game,” he added.
“It’s the Champions League. When you have four or five chances and if you don’t put the ball in the back of the net, it gets frustrating. It was an incredible moment from Declan to finish the game.”
Arsenal have won nine and drawn one of their 10 games in the Champions League this season.
They will be favoured to dispatch Sporting, 5-3 aggregate winners over Bodo/Glimt, in the last eight after routing the Portuguese club 5-1 in the Champions League group stage last season.
Brushing aside Leverkusen was ideal preparation for Arsenal’s bid to win a first trophy in six years against Manchester City in the League Cup final at Wembley on March 22.
Quadruple-chasing Arsenal, whose last silverware came in the 2020 FA Cup, sit nine points clear of second-placed City at the top of the English Premier League table having played a game more, as they chase a first title in 22 years.
They are also set to meet second-tier Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals in April.
It is shaping up to be an incredible campaign for Arsenal, who have never won the Champions League, losing their only final appearance against Barcelona in 2006. AFP
