Arsenal remains composed in the Champions League, contrasting sharply with their Premier League rivals.
LONDON — Arsenal has successfully accomplished two out of three objectives needed to label this a flawless week.
They are currently nine points ahead at the top of the Premier League, and on Tuesday night, secured their place in the Champions League quarterfinals with a 2-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen, advancing 3-1 on aggregate. With two spectacular goals from Eberechi Eze and Declan Rice, the Gunners have set the stage for the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City on Sunday, which they hope will mark the first trophy in a potential quadruple this season.
Arsenal supporters are hesitant to let optimism transform into certainty just yet — a sentiment shaped by a 22-year wait for a league title. However, following their 2-0 victory over Everton on Saturday and Tuesday’s decisive win against a determined Leverkusen team, there are hardly any indications of anxiety affecting Mikel Arteta’s squad.
While Chelsea and Manchester City faltered in Europe, Arsenal appears to be thriving under pressure. Players may be rotated, but as long as the core of the team remains consistent, Arsenal’s versatile squad allows them to adapt seamlessly.
This season is characterized by blending remarkable moments into what Arsenal fans hope will culminate in a lengthy victorious montage. If Saturday’s memorable highlight was 16-year-old Max Dowman celebrating as the youngest Premier League goalscorer after his introduction contributed to the 2-0 win, then Tuesday’s will be remembered for Eze and Rice’s stunning goals.
Up until the 36th minute, Arsenal had explored various avenues to penetrate Leverkusen goalkeeper Janis Blaswich’s formidable defense, and although their typically effective corner routine was not yielding results, Eze opted for a direct approach. He seized a bouncing ball at the edge of the box, set it up for himself, and unleashed a magnificent shot into the top left corner of Blaswich’s goal. No goalkeeper could have stopped it. Eze pointed skyward and made his way to the corner, relishing the applause, while his teammates stepped back to allow him his moment.
Rice’s second goal in the 63rd minute was equally impressive. With the Leverkusen defense giving him space, Rice — as effortlessly as taking his dog Raffa for a walk — took a couple of steps to steady himself and placed the ball precisely into the bottom corner. It appeared simple but was yet another remarkable goal. Around the press box, Arsenal fans chanted “Boring, boring Arsenal!” as a message to critics of the team’s playing style, reminding everyone they are capable of more than just effective set pieces.
As far as nights and preparations for Sunday’s final go, this was nearly perfect. Arteta made four changes from the team that defeated Everton, bringing in both fullbacks Ben White and Piero Hincapié, while Leandro Trossard and Viktor Gyökeres also started in this, their 49th match of a seemingly endless season.
Leverkusen’s goal was fortunate in the first half, and while the German side posed a threat on the counter, David Raya hardly broke a sweat. At the other end, Blaswich was busy in his six-yard box, keeping Arsenal at bay — making a good save from a Trossard shot and somehow denying a close-range effort from White after Arsenal created chaos in Leverkusen’s box from a corner. Gyökeres struggled to make an impact, but Arsenal continued to press Leverkusen’s goal until Eze seized the ball at the edge of the box and struck it as cleanly as possible.
Leverkusen attempted to exploit the flanks in the second half, but the hosts’ defense held firm, and Rice’s second-half goal secured the match. Arteta turned to his bench, introducing Cristhian Mosquera, Christian Norgaard, Gabriel Martinelli, and Kai Havertz in the 69th minute, with Eze appearing a bit battered after some frustrated tackles from Leverkusen.
Havertz had a goal ruled out for a foul, and the game gradually lost intensity, allowing Leverkusen more time on the ball. The camera focused on Dowman, who remained on the bench, as Arteta managed his minutes carefully amid the growing excitement surrounding him. Leverkusen had the final opportunity, with Raya making a good save from Christian Kofane to maintain a sense of calm.
As their Premier League rivals faltered elsewhere, this was a contrasting and comprehensive display. The screens at halftime in the Emirates showed a despondent Pep Guardiola as he watched Real Madrid extend their lead in Manchester, highlighting the stark contrast with the celebratory atmosphere in North London.
Arsenal are expected to be the ones feeling pressure, yet they seem to be embracing the challenge of competing on four fronts. While Manchester City dealt with the aftermath of a disappointing aggregate loss to Real Madrid, Arsenal utilized their second leg against Leverkusen to rest some well-used legs.
Next up for Arsenal is Manchester City on Sunday at Wembley. It has been six long years since Arsenal last lifted a trophy. However, this was an ideal way to set the stage for that final, and judging by the confidence displayed on Tuesday night, they may not have to wait much longer for a new addition to their trophy cabinet.
