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Tom Hamilton
Multiple Authors
LONDON — Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised Eberechi Eze for his knack for delivering “magical moments,” particularly highlighting his spectacular goal against Bayer Leverkusen as a testament to why the club acquired him in the summer.
Arsenal triumphed over Leverkusen with a 2-0 victory on the night and a 3-1 win on aggregate, securing their place in the Champions League quarterfinals where they’ll face Sporting CP. Eze opened the scoring in the 36th minute with a remarkable strike, followed by another brilliant goal from Declan Rice in the second half.
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It was nearly a flawless evening for Arsenal as they advanced in the tournament, with Eze taking center stage. The player joined Arsenal from Crystal Palace for £67.5 million last August and has recorded nine goals and six assists in 43 appearances thus far this season.
On Tuesday, Eze netted his first goal in the Champions League with an impressive shot. After Arsenal had consistently threatened Leverkusen’s goal, Eze collected the ball at the edge of the box, set himself up, and unleashed a powerful half-volley to score.
“We had an excellent start to the game,” Arteta remarked. “Their goalkeeper kept them in it, and we required a magical moment from Ebs.”
“He’s playing every three days; he’s in a rhythm and understanding with his teammates. He’s very active, both on and off the ball, moving into space with purpose. That’s why he’s here, to create those kinds of moments.”
Arteta believes Eze’s impressive form stems from the developing chemistry with his teammates and their expanding understanding of his gameplay.
“When you start with strong actions that lead to victory, it boosts your confidence, which every player needs,” Arteta added. “In terms of his career minutes, he’s playing more now than ever before, which shows his consistency. He’s fit and managing the pressure and expectations commendably.”
Arteta also complimented Declan Rice’s contributions, calling his performance “immense,” especially given the demanding fixture schedule as Arsenal competes on multiple fronts.
“I’m exhausted; it’s relentless,” Rice shared with TNT Sports. “We’re still in all competitions, playing every three days since October. We navigate it as best as we can, but it’s challenging. We find ways to secure victories, and that’s what matters. People often ask where I find my energy; I just tap into this second wind.”
On Eze, Rice noted: “There aren’t many players like him with such striking ability. We need to involve him more in our play.”
As Eze looks ahead, he is now focused on the upcoming Carabao Cup final against Manchester City, aiming to help Arsenal break their six-year trophy drought.
“At this stage, it doesn’t matter who we face; it’s going to be a tough match,” Eze acknowledged on TNT. “However, we have a game on Sunday, so we’ll prepare well for it. Our aim is to secure trophies, a goal we’ve had since the beginning of the season. We’ll keep striving, and with some luck, our efforts will pay off.”