Mikel Arteta has expressed satisfaction with Arsenal’s display as they secured a 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday night to advance to the last eight of the UEFA Champions League.
The Gunners had recorded a 1-1 draw from the first leg in Germany, but dominated the entire second leg and sealed an impressive result.
The North London club continued their perfect home record in Europe this season and kept their hopes of a historic quadruple alive with the result.
Speaking after the win, Arteta was very impressed with his side’s dominance against the former Bundesliga champions.
“I think we started the game so well. I think we were a threat from every angle”, Arteta expressed.
“The ‘keeper maintained them in the game, I think, and we needed a magical moment from Ebs to score a wonderful goal.
“In the second half, we had periods of domination, periods where they dominated us as well because they are a really good side and they are really good in what they do.”
Arsenal started the game on top and could have scored several goals in the first half, but for the goalkeeping heroics of Janis Blaswich, who made 10 saves in the match.
Eberechi Eze opened scoring with a stunning goal from outside the box in the first half, before Declan Rice added an equally brilliant second in the second half of the encounter.
Arsenal sealed a 3-1 aggregate win to advance to the quarterfinals once again, keeping their hopes of a first-ever Champions League title alive.
“And again, their transitions opened the opportunity to win the game and the tie. Unfortunately, as well, we had four or five situations where we should have probably scored the third one and put the game to bed”, Arteta added.
“But overall, I think we fully deserve to be in the quarter-finals.”
Meanwhile, the Gunners will face Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon in the next round, after they produced a stunning 5-0 victory to overturn a three-goal first leg deficit against Bodo/Glimt.
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