Post-match reaction from Arsenal’s win against Bayer Leverkusen, which sees Mikel Arteta’s men progress through to the Last 8 of the Champions League.
Mikel Arteta on Eze’s special strike opening up the tie: “Yes, I think it’s true, I think we started the game so well. We were a threat from every angle, their ‘keeper maintained them in the game I think, and we needed a magical moment from Ebs to score a wonderful goal, a wonderful strike, to give us the lead. In the second half we had periods of domination, periods where they dominated as well because they are a really good side, and they are really good in what they do. And again, Declan’s actions opened the opportunity to go on and win the game and the tie, and unfortunately as well we had four or five situations where we should have probably scored the third one and put the game to bed. But overall, I think we fully deserve to be in the quarter-finals.”
On Declan Rice’s display: “He was immense. Him and the whole team – I just mentioned the soul of the team, I think the manner that they go for every ball, the passion that they show and the reaction is remarkable. Doing it every three days at that level is so difficult.”
On David Raya’s crucial saves: “I don’t know what they generated, again in two games it was a set-piece last time and then a header before that, and today an action. He makes an incredible save, that’s why he’s here, he’s absolutely amazing.”
Leandro Trossard:“It was a good performance from us, especially how we dominated that first half with a lot of chances.
“I think we enjoyed ourselves]a lot on the pitch today, you could see that, it transmitted on to the crowd as well, I think we were very good and it was a perfect one for us.
“We just needed to get the business done and I think we did it in a very good way.”
Eberechi Eze on his goal: “I don’t know if I could dream of scoring a goal like that! I just saw the opportunity to shoot & thankful to God it worked today. It’s a special goal, I’m going to remember it for a long time.”
On the season run-in: “The clear aim is to win trophies… it’s what we want to do, it’s what we’ve had as our goal from the start”. We’re in the final stages of all competitions, we’ll keep pushing, working. God willing, it comes through.”
Declan Rice: “I’m shattered. It’s non stop. We are obviously still in all competitions. It’s been every 3 days since October. We’ve been coping with it best we can. You find energy and ways to win on nights like this.”
