Arsenal vs Leverkusen Player Ratings: Eze & Rice Shine 2026

Key Points

• Arsenal secured a 2-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League Round of 16 second leg at the Emirates Stadium, advancing 3-1 on aggregate after a 1-1 first-leg draw in Germany.
• Eberechi Eze scored a stunning volley in the 36th minute, his first Champions League goal, from the edge of the box, boosting Arsenal’s lead.
• Declan Rice sealed the win with a precise finish in the 63rd minute after controlling a high clearance, ensuring progression to the quarter-finals.
• Arsenal dictated the tempo, controlled territory, and limited Leverkusen’s threats, maintaining a clean sheet with strong defensive displays.
• Arsenal will face Sporting CP in the Champions League quarter-finals, as confirmed in the draw.
• Player ratings highlighted Eze (9/10) for his match-winning stunner and Rice (8/10) for his commanding performance and goal; seven players rated 8/10 by some outlets.
• Mikel Arteta praised the team’s “immense” performance and dominance, noting elevated individual standards.
• Eberechi Eze was substituted potentially due to injury, raising concerns ahead of the Carabao Cup final.
• First leg featured a last-gasp Kai Havertz penalty for Arsenal’s 1-1 draw.
• Arsenal remain the only unbeaten team in the 2025-26 Champions League knockouts.

(North London News) March 25, 2026 – Arsenal moved into the Champions League quarter-finals with authority at the Emirates Stadium, completing a 3-1 aggregate victory over Bayer Leverkusen following a composed 2-0 second-leg win.

What had remained delicately poised after a 1-1 draw in Germany last week became increasingly one-sided as the return leg unfolded, with Arsenal dictating tempo and territory with quiet assurance. Goals from Eberechi Eze and Declan Rice ensured progression, each moment reflecting a side growing in confidence on the European stage. Arsenal now await Sporting CP in the last eight, carrying clarity in structure and identity from this performance.

How Did Arsenal Secure Their Quarter-Final Spot?

Arsenal booked their place with a composed display, overturning the tension through key moments in each half, as detailed in Sony Sports Network’s key moments summary. Eberechi Eze broke the deadlock in the 36th minute with a stunning volley, applying the early pressure needed, before Declan Rice sealed it in the 63rd minute with a precise finish that put the result beyond doubt.

The Gunners controlled the tempo throughout, limiting Leverkusen’s threat and securing a confident aggregate triumph, according to FotMob’s match report. This followed a first leg where Arsenal snatched a 1-1 draw via a last-gasp Kai Havertz penalty, as reported by the Evening Standard.

As per ESPN’s final score update, the match timeline included Arsenal’s opener at 36′, half-time at 1-0, Rice’s goal at 63′, and substitutions around 68′-70′, ending 2-0 with Arsenal advancing 3-1 on aggregate.

Who Were the Top Performers in Player Ratings?

Player ratings from multiple sources praised Arsenal’s dominance, with Eze and Rice leading the charge.

Football.london rated Eberechi Eze 9/10, noting:

“What a performance! The summer recruit delivered a stunning volley from the edge of the box, boosting his confidence. He showcased impressive skills afterward but was substituted due to a potential injury.”

Declan Rice earned 8/10:

“Almost created another spectacular moment from a free-kick that forced Blaswich into a challenging save. He significantly impacted the game in the second half by scoring a well-placed shot after controlling a high clearance.”

GOAL.com echoed this, with Eze 9/10 for his “extraordinary goal to open the scoring, embodying the kind of moment Arsenal sought when they signed him,” though noting he left limping. Rice was 8/10 for a “commanding performance in midfield, highlighted by his superb goal.” Other ratings included David Raya 8/10, Martin Zubimendi 7/10 for shielding the defence, and Bukayo Saka 7/10.

VAVEL’s ratings gave David Raya 8 for a fantastic save and clean sheet, Gabriel Magalhães 8 for imperious defending, and Piero Hincapié 7 against his former club. Pain in the Arsenal rated Raya 7.5/10 for a brilliant late save, Ben White 7/10 solid at right-back, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães both 7.5/10 for positive battles and clean sheet contributions.

Football.london highlighted seven 8/10s in a top display.

What Did Mikel Arteta Say About the Victory?

Mikel Arteta hailed the team’s effort post-match. In a YouTube reaction clip, he celebrated qualification:

“Yes, we’ve qualified to the next stage in the Champions League… Goals from Eberechi Eze, what a strike my guys, and also Declan Rice as well. Today’s goals were from outside the box.”

In another interview transcribed on YouTube, Arteta said:

“Yes, I think the team was immense today and the manner that we started the game showing so much domination… overall we had a big performance as a team and individually as well players that elevated the level to the highest standards probably of the season.”

He added concern over missed chances:

“You get worried because when you have four or five chances… and you don’t put the ball in the back of the net, everything is possible,”

but praised Rice’s “incredible moment to win the game.”

How Did Eberechi Eze and Declan Rice Score Their Goals?

Eze’s stunner was a thunderous first-half volley from 20 yards, his first in the Champions League, sending Arteta’s side on their way, per Sky Sports’ Nick Wright. FotMob described it as helping “seal a 3-1 aggregate win.”

Rice’s 63rd-minute goal was a well-placed shot after controlling a high clearance, putting the result beyond doubt, as per Sony Sports and football.london. GOAL.com called it an “excellent second after the break.”

A YouTube short highlighted “Stunning Goals from Eberechi Eze & Declan Rice” in Arsenal’s thrashing.

What Is Arsenal’s Path in the Quarter-Finals?

The Champions League quarter-final draw pits Arsenal against Sporting CP, as announced by Yahoo Sports. Arsenal, the lone unbeaten side remaining, triumphed 3-1 aggregate over Leverkusen with a 2-0 second leg. Sky Sports confirmed: “Gunners will face Sporting in last eight.”

Were There Any Injury Concerns for Arsenal?

Eze’s substitution raised alarms. Football.london reported he “left the field limping due to injury, raising concerns ahead of the upcoming Carabao Cup final.” GOAL.com noted similar worries after his extraordinary goal.

How Did Bayer Leverkusen Respond?

Leverkusen struggled to create chances, with Arsenal’s defence on top. No direct post-match quotes from Xabi Alonso on this tie were prominent, but ESPN noted corners and threats late, denied by Raya. VAVEL’s Hincapié rating showed Leverkusen’s limited attacks.

Why Does This Win Boost Arsenal’s Confidence?

Arsenal’s progression reflects growing European maturity, with goals from distance showcasing identity under Arteta. As the only unbeaten knockout team, they carry momentum to face Sporting, per Yahoo Sports. Arteta’s “immense” verdict underscores elevated standards.