Mikel Arteta declared Eberechi Eze's stunning goal in Arsenal's 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen as 'the reason why he's here', after the forward fired the Gunners into the Champions League quarter-finals. Eze's spectacular 20-yard strike and a second-half goal from Declan Rice sealed a 3-1 aggregate victory at the Emirates Stadium.
The 27-year-old, who joined from Crystal Palace for £67.5million in the summer, has taken time to adapt but Arteta believes he is now showing his true quality. 'We needed a magical moment from Ebs,' said the Arsenal manager. 'He's playing every three days now, he has the rhythm and understanding with his teammates. His activity with and without the ball, and the purpose he shows in the box, is the reason why he's here.'
Arsenal dominated the match, with goalkeeper Janis Blaswich making several fine saves before Eze broke the deadlock 10 minutes before half-time. The attacker controlled Leandro Trossard's pass, swivelled and unleashed a right-footed rocket into the top corner. Rice doubled the lead just after the hour mark, latching onto a weak clearance and scoring from the edge of the area.
The win extends Arsenal's impressive run as they chase an unprecedented quadruple, leading the Premier League by nine points, facing Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, and still competing in the FA Cup. Arteta's side will face Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League last eight, aiming for a third consecutive semi-final appearance.
Rice, named player of the match, admitted to feeling the strain of a packed schedule. 'I'm shattered, it's non-stop,' he told TNT Sports. 'We're in all the competitions still, so it's been every three days since October. We find ways to win and it's all good.'
