Arteta hails growing influence of Eze as Arsenal reach Champions League quarters | OneFootball

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta heaped praise on Eberechi Eze and his growing understanding of the Spaniard’s system as their side cruised to a 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen to reach the Champions League quarter finals.

A superb half-volley from distance by Eze and Declan Rice’s clinical second-half finish rounded off a dominant second leg performance from the Gunners, who won 3-1 on aggregate to progress at the German side’s expense.

Arteta’s side removed any doubt with a display that combined relentless attacking pressure with defensive control, having given the visitors little to no opportunities and recorded their 25th clean sheet in 49 competitive matches this season.

Arteta highlighted his side had been in control long before the breakthrough, and credited the quality of Eze’s finish that finally made the most of their control on the game.

“I think we started the game so well, we were a threat from every angle,” he said. “The Leverkusen keeper [Janis Blaswich], kept them in the game we needed a magical moment from Eze to score a wonderful goal to give us the lead.”

Signed to bring creativity and incision in the final third, Eze is now beginning to deliver with increasing consistency and his manager made clear that his influence extends far beyond spectacular goals.

Arteta said: “He has the rhythm, he has understanding with his teammates as well, what we want.

“Especially his level of activity with the ball, without the ball, in the spaces that he moves, the purpose that he’s showing every time he’s in and around the box.”

It is that growing understanding, both of tactics and his teammates, that has underpinned Eze’s recent form. Now with four goals in his last seven games, the midfielder appears to be finding his place within Arsenal’s system at a crucial stage of the season.

Arteta highlighted the link between Eze’s confidence and his attacking output.

He said: “I think he’s building a better chemistry, better understanding with all of them. We start to understand him as well much better.

“When you start to make a good game, a good action, an action that can win you the game, that lifts your confidence as well and that’s what every player needs.”

Eze had never competed in the Champions League prior to this season, yet his performances paint the picture of a player entirely at ease with the demands of elite European football.

“Comparing the minutes that he’s ever played in his career, he’s much higher right now than any other season,” Arteta said. “That tells you as well the consistency that he’s showing. He’s always fit, he’s handling the pressure, the situation and the expectations very well.”

Eze’s development has also been evident in his work without the ball, an area Arteta considers non-negotiable.

“Without that, you have no chance to play in this team because everybody does it,” Arteta said. “He can do it, he’s willing to do it and he’s doing it better and better every day.”

While Eze set the platform, Arsenal’s control of the tie was reinforced after the break when Declan Rice doubled the lead with a goal that mirrored the quality of the first winning possession before surging forward and curling a precise effort into the bottom corner.

It was a moment that effectively ended Leverkusen’s hopes, even if Arteta felt his side could have extended their advantage further.

“In the second half, we had periods of domination, periods where they dominated us as well because they are a really good side,” Arteta said. “We had four or five situations where we should have probably scored the third one and put the game to bed.”

At the other end, David Raya ensured the clean sheet remained intact with a remarkable late save, clawing away a powerful close-range effort to preserve Arsenal’s defensive record. Arteta was emphatic in his praise. “That’s why he’s here,” he said. “But we need to value the keeper that we have because he’s absolutely amazing.”

Beyond the individual moments, the performance reflected a collective resilience that Arteta believes defines his team. The intensity of competing every three days has not diminished their physical or emotional commitment, something he was keen to highlight when discussing Rice’s display.

“He was immense, him and the whole team,” Arteta said. “The soul of the team, I think and the manner that they go for every ball, the passion that they show in every action is remarkable. Doing it every three days at that level is so difficult.”

With Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester City fast approachig, Arteta insisted his focus had been entirely on securing progression in Europe, underlining the significance of reaching the last eight.

“I think what was at stake is huge,” he said. “I don’t know how many times in our history we’ve been three times in the quarter-finals, but not that many, I think. So that tells you how difficult it is to achieve it.”

Arsenal now carry both momentum and belief into their quarter final with Sporting Lisbon, who thrashed Bodo/Glimt 5-0 to overturn the three-goal deficit in the first leg, and with Eze finding form at precisely the right moment, Arteta’s side look even better equipped to go deep into the competition.