Arsenal FC player ratings vs Bayer Leverkusen: Eberechi Eze magic and Declan Rice immense

Sport | Football

Arsenal player ratings vs Bayer Leverkusen: Eberechi Eze magic and Declan Rice immense

Bukayo Saka a constant menace as Gunners book Champions League quarter-final clash with Sporting

Stars of the show: Eberechi Eze and Declan Rice both scored superb goals for Arsenal

Action Images via Reuters

Matt Verri

2 minutes ago

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Arsenal eased into the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a 3-1 aggregate win over Bayer Leverkusen.

The last-16 tie was in the balance at the halfway stage after a 1-1 draw in Germany, but the Gunners were by far the better side in the return fixture on home soil.

Eberechi Eze opened the scoring before half-time with a stunning strike from distance, before Declan Rice put Arsenal in real control with a low finish just after the hour mark.

The Gunners will face Sporting in the quarter-finals after the international break.

Standard Sport’s Matt Verri was at the Emirates Stadium to rate the Arsenal players...

David Raya 7

Made a mess of one corner swung on top of him but otherwise a confident night. Wonderful late save to tip Christian Kofane’s shot behind. Nobody has kept more Champions League clean sheets this season.

Ben White 7

Clear reminder to Arteta that he can be trusted in the run-in. Brings the best out of Saka in attack and secure defensively. Tired after half-time and one loose pass nearly let Leverkusen away on the counter.

William Saliba 8

Tough challenge up against Kofane but showed good pace when tested in behind. Dominant in the air with several crucial headed clearances and did not give Patrik Schick a sniff once he came on.

Gabriel 7

Wasted two big early chances when picked out from corners, both of which he should probably have scored. Did not put a foot wrong at the back, though, and led the way for tackles.

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Piero Hincapie 8

All-action as ever. Great cross nearly created a chance for Saka and a brilliant interception at the other end was key with Saliba out of position. So aggressive and yet on the whole so clean.

Martin Zubimendi 7

Looked closer to his best again. Better zip to his play, making a nice run in the first half and threading a ball through to Gyokeres. Stopped a dangerous Leverkusen counter in the second half. Encouraging display.

Declan Rice 8

If ever a goal summed him up. Mopped up the loose ball, powered into space and then a brilliant finish into the bottom corner. Fairly deep in midfield most of the match and was just always in the right place.

Bukayo Saka 8

Constant menace down the right, creating four chances in the first half alone. Direct in his running and could easily have scored, having four shots on target. Corner delivery was brilliant.

Eberechi Eze 9

Signed for magic moments and produced one with a stunning strike to open the scoring. Ran the show in midfield, gliding past defenders and opening up space with clever flicks. Off the ball work was superb too.

Leandro Trossard 7

Saw a lot of the ball playing almost as another No10 at times. Indecisive more than once when in the box, opting to chop back and delay rather than shoot. Perhaps unfortunate though - forced Janis Blaswich into two sensational saves.

Viktor Gyokeres 7

Made himself a nuisance. Messy at times with loose touches but he bundled through challenges and worked tirelessly up front. Deflected shot went just wide and nearly left Hincapie a tap-in, but denied by great defending.

Substitutes

Christian Norgaard (Zubimendi 68’) 6

Not quite at the pace of the match when the ball bobbled free a couple of times, but did a solid enough job.

Cristhian Mosquera (White 68’) 7

Pretty much locked down the right wing and supported the attacks well. Could well start if Timber is still out on Sunday.

Gabriel Martinelli (Trossard 68’) 6

No real opportunity to run at the Leverkusen defence but did his work off the ball well.

Kai Havertz (Eze 68’) 6

Competed well in the air to get Arsenal up the pitch in the closing stages.

Myles Lewis-Skelly (Gyokeres 90’) N/A

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