Mikel Arteta reveals key to Eberechi Eze progress as 'magical moment' inspires Arsenal | OneFootball

England midfielder set for vital role in run-in after sensational first Champions League goal against Bayer Leverkusen

What a hit: Eberechi Eze’s wondergoal set Arsenal on their way to victory over Bayer Leverkusen

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Mikel Arteta believes Eberechi Eze will get better and better in the final two months of the season after his "magical moment" helped fire Arsenal into the Champions League quarter-finals.

The Gunners secured their progression with a 3-1 aggregate win over Bayer Leverkusen.

After a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Germany, Arsenal were confident and professional in easing to victory on home soil to maintain their quadruple bid.

Eze opened the scoring in the 2-0 win with a stunning strike. He collected the ball with his back to goal 25 yards out, swivelled, and lashed a strike into the top corner.

"We needed a magical moment from Ebs who scored a wonderful goal, a wonderful strike to give us the lead," Arteta said.

"He's playing every three days now. He has the rhythm, he has the understanding with his team-mates as well, what we want. And 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 as well. Which is the thing and the reason why he's here, to create those kind of moments."

Between two match-winning displays in north London derbies this season, Eze went three months without a shot on target in the Premier League.

He struggled for regular minutes and form but the spring months have so often been when he has produced his best football and that looks like being the case again.

"I think he's building a better chemistry, a better understanding with all of them," Arteta said.

"We start to understand him as well much better. When you start to make a good game, a good action, an action like that when you're in the game, that lifts your confidence as well. That's what every player needs."

For all Eze's standout moment was that sensational opening goal, Arteta was just as impressed with the work he put in off the ball.

The Arsenal boss made it clear that is a non-negotiable for his players and Arteta is confident Eze will continue to meet those demands.

"Without that, you have no chance to play in this team," Arteta said.

"Because everybody does it, and that's the magic of it, and the reason why we are so consistent in winning matches and preventing the opponent to score.

"He can do it. If he could not do it, I would never demand it. He can do it, he's willing to do it, and he's doing it better and better every day."