Arsenal secured a controlled 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen to reach the Champions League quarter-finals, but the post-match reaction offered just as much insight as the performance itself.
Goals from Eberechi Eze and Declan Rice sealed progression, yet it was Rice’s comments after the game that stood out.
Speaking after the final whistle, Rice pointed directly to Eze’s unique quality suggesting there is still more to come from the midfielder within this Arsenal system.
It was a revealing admission from one of the team’s leaders on a night where individual brilliance made the difference.
Rice did not hold back when asked about Eze’s impact. Speaking to TNT Sport after the game, he said: “There aren’t many players that I’ve seen that can hit the ball like him. We need to get him on the ball more.”
Declan Rice calls for Eberechi Eze to receive more possession
In a team often praised for structure and control, this suggests there is still room to lean further into individual flair.
Eze’s goal justified every word. With the game tight and chances limited, he produced a moment of pure quality from outside the box, striking through a bouncing ball with precision and power. It was not just the technique, but the decisiveness.
While others had been probing for openings, Eze took responsibility and changed the game in a single action.
That kind of ability is rare. Rice’s comments show how highly it is valued within the squad.
Rice’s call to get him on the ball more points to a potential evolution in how Arsenal approach these moments. It is not about replacing control, but complementing it with unpredictability. This win showed Arsenal can manage knockout football effectively. They controlled space, limited chances, and took their moments clinically. But Rice’s words suggest the players themselves believe there is another level to reach.
If Eze becomes more central to their attacking phases, Arsenal could add a sharper edge to their already disciplined structure. The midfielder’s ability to strike from distance adds a dimension Arsenal have lacked in previous Champions League campaigns. Teams sitting deep against the Gunners must now account for his shooting threat from range.
