Paul Merson singled out Declan Rice for special praise in Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen, applauding the midfielder’s ‘absolutely outstanding’ performance to assist his side progress to the Champions League quarter-finals.
After drawing 1-1 in a hard-fought last-16 first leg, Arsenal knew they faced a difficult task in getting past a team boasting a powerful defensive record for the reason that turn of the 12 months.
But Eberechi Eze eased any nerves within the Emirates crowd with a thunderous effort from outside the box to provide the Gunners a 2-1 lead on aggregate before the break.
The hosts picked up where they left off within the second period and were rewarded for his or her efforts just past the hour-mark as Rice increased the deficit with an effortlessly controlled strike into the underside corner of Janis Blaswich’s goal.
David Raya kept out Christian Kofane with a shocking save late on to further frustrate Tuesday’s visitors and the Premier League leaders held firm to securely advance to the quarter-finals.
Mikel Arteta’s men will lock horns with Sporting within the last eight after the Portuguese outfit got here back from three goals all the way down to put five past Bodo/Glimt in the perimeters’ return leg.
‘Arsenal played thoroughly at times. They are only rolling,’ ex-Arsenal and England midfielder Merson said on Sky Sports after his former club’s 3-1 win on aggregate.
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‘I don’t need to say “machine” since it is disrespectful, but it is a machine that may do every little thing.
‘They’re a correct team.’
Merson added: ‘It was a superb performance. Onto the quarter-finals.
‘Ben White was regular. Whoever is available in, he does a job.’
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There have been excellent performances across the pitch from Arsenal’s perspective nevertheless it was Rice who went home with the man-of-the-match award after one other lung-busting display in the midst of the park.
The Englishman’s goal was his first within the Champions League this season and his fifth in all competitions for the north London giants.
‘What a goal,’ Merson said of Rice’s classy 63rd-minute strike.
‘They were under pressure, Leverkusen. Some great defending from [Jarell] Quansah after which [Viktor] Gyokeres’ shot got blocked for a corner when he must have passed it to Saka.
‘The corner gets cleared to Declan Rice, it’s coming out the air, he takes a touch… you’re thinking that he’s going to shoot, he takes one other touch after which whips it within the corner.
‘It’s an outstanding finish by Declan Rice and who, again, has been absolutely outstanding.’
Chatting with TNT Sports shortly after the ultimate whistle, Rice made sure to provide credit to Leverkusen for giving his Arsenal team ‘a variety of problems’ over the course of the 2 legs.
The previous West Ham man felt the Gunners ultimately deserved to undergo, though, and maybe must have won by more on the evening.
‘A 3rd 12 months in a row within the quarter-finals. It was a very tough game over the 2 legs so credit to them, they caused us, regardless that it might not appear to be it, rather a lot problems on the pitch,’ he said.
‘They’re a very good tactical team but ultimately we deserved the win tonight.
‘We could have scored perhaps three or 4 but to win 2-0 was solid and we’re very completely satisfied to get through.’
On Arsenal’s relentless schedule, Rice added: ‘I’m shattered. It’s non-stop. We’re obviously still in all competitions.
‘It’s been every three days since October so it’s been different but we’ve been coping with it the perfect we are able to.
‘It is admittedly tiring but when you’ve got an evening like tonight, round of 16 to get through to the quarter-finals, you discover energy and ways to win and also you keep doing that so it’s all good.’
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