Arsenal eased through in the Champions League, beating Bayer Leverkusen 2-0. The match took place at the Emirates. Arsenal will now play Sporting Clube de Portugal in the quarter-final.
Arteta and Rice React to Arsenal’s Win
Mikel Arteta spoke to TNT, saying, “The team was immense … domination … big chances … we had a big performance as a team … individuals too elevated the level.” He added that playing Sporting “is a completely different game” and that “they are a top side … it is going to be very difficult … so enjoy tonight, then prepare, because we have a beautiful final to play on Sunday … now we can focus on the final.”
Declan Rice, named player of the match, also spoke with TNT. “Third year in a row in the quarter-finals … really tough game … we deserved the win … we could have scored three or four … I’m shattered! … it’s non-stop … in all the competitions still … it is really tiring … but you find energy, find ways to win … I was happy with [the goal] today … it’s not quite Real Madrid but I’m happy with it! … we’ve lost three in all competitions … it’s an unbelievable season we’re having … we need to keep going, keep raising the level, and see what happens.”
Champions League Round-Up
Here are tonight’s Champions League round-of-16 results:
- Arsenal 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen (agg 3-1)
- Chelsea 0-3 Paris Saint-Germain (agg 2-8)
- Manchester City 1-2 Real Madrid (agg 1-5)
- Sporting 5-0 Bodø/Glimt (aet, 3-0 after 90 mins, agg 5-3)
Two Premier League clubs are out of the competition. Eberechi Eze scored a belter tonight and said, “I don’t think I could dream of scoring a goal like that … thankful to God that’s worked today … it’s a special goal … for sure I will remember it a long time … hopefully the first of many in the Champions League … we’re in the final stage of all these competitions so we’ll keep pushing, keep working … God willing, it comes through!” He also confirmed that he has no injury issue.
Liam Rosenior told TNT, “It was a really tough night … we knew it was a tough ask … to start the game in the manner we did … actually in the first six minutes we had the ball in their final third … we made a mistake … at this level you can’t make them … they punished you … we had set plays … then Barcola hits one from 25 yards into the top corner … then it becomes a really difficult night … the difference, if you watched the games, is they were clinical … we had a lot of shots … they didn’t make mistakes and we did … this is a really tough one to take … I want to thank the fans … they saw how hard the lads were working in a difficult moment … we really want to make sure we don’t go through many more nights like this … we still have a lot to play for.” He also reported that Trevoh Chalobah has a “high ankle sprain … I am praying it is not too serious.”
It was never in doubt and Arsenal will play Sporting Clube de Portugal in the quarter-final.