Arsenal has successfully completed two of the three objectives needed to crown a perfect week. The team is at the top of the Premier League with a nine-point lead and on Tuesday night secured its place in the Champions League quarter-finals after beating Bayer Leverkusen 2-0. With two stunning goals from Eberechi Eze and Declan Rice, the Gunners are preparing for the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City on Sunday, hoping to get the first trophy of a season that could be historic. Arsenal fans, wary of the long 22-year wait for a league title, are still not getting carried away. However, after the 2-0 victory over Everton on Saturday and Tuesday’s resounding triumph against a resilient Leverkusen, Mikel Arteta’s team seems to be in an exceptional moment. While other teams like Chelsea and Manchester City struggled in Europe, Arsenal seems to thrive under pressure. Despite changes in the lineup, the team’s backbone remains solid, demonstrating the squad’s versatility. This season is characterized by brilliant moments that Arsenal fans hope will culminate in a long and victorious celebration. If Saturday’s memory was the appearance of 16-year-old Max Dowman, celebrating his goal as the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history, Tuesday’s was the magnificent goals of Eze and Rice.
Until minute 36, Arsenal tried by all means to break Leverkusen’s defense. Eze, after a loose ball on the edge of the area, prepared and launched a powerful shot that went into the upper left corner of the goal, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance. Rice scored his goal in the 63rd minute, with a placed shot that sealed the victory.
Coach Arteta made four changes compared to the team that beat Everton, starting Ben White and Piero Hincapié, while Leandro Trossard and Viktor Gyökeres also started in the 49th match of an endless season. Leverkusen tried to attack from the wings in the second half, but the home defense held firm, and Rice’s goal in the second half secured the result. Arteta made changes from the bench, introducing Cristhian Mosquera, Christian Nørgaard, Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz in the 69th minute. Havertz had a goal disallowed for a foul, and the match entered a phase of control, with Leverkusen having more ball possession. The camera focused on Dowman, who remained on the bench, while Arteta carefully managed his minutes. While Premier League rivals crumbled elsewhere, this was a contrasting and complete performance. Arsenal appear to be embracing the challenge of competing on four fronts. Arsenal’s next match is against Manchester City on Sunday at Wembley. It has been six long years since Arsenal won their last trophy. However, this was the perfect way to prepare for that final, and judging by the confidence with which they played on Tuesday night, they might not have to wait much longer to add a new trophy to their showcase.
