Manchester United v Arsenal FC - Premier League
Declan Rice was ‘absolutely outstanding’ against Bayer Leverkusen, says Paul Merson (Picture: Getty)
Paul Merson singled out Declan Rice for special praise in Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen, applauding the midfielder’s ‘absolutely outstanding’ performance to help his side progress to the Champions League quarter-finals.
After drawing 1-1 in a hard-fought last-16 first leg, Arsenal knew they faced a tricky task in getting past a team boasting a strong defensive record since the turn of the year.
But Eberechi Eze eased any nerves in the Emirates crowd with a thunderous effort from outside the box to give the Gunners a 2-1 lead on aggregate before the break.
The hosts picked up where they left off in the second period and were rewarded for their efforts just past the hour-mark as Rice increased the deficit with an effortlessly controlled strike into the bottom corner of Janis Blaswich’s goal.
David Raya kept out Christian Kofane with a stunning save late on to further frustrate Tuesday’s visitors and the Premier League leaders held firm to safely advance to the quarter-finals.
Mikel Arteta’s men will lock horns with Sporting in the last eight after the Portuguese outfit came back from three goals down to put five past Bodo/Glimt in the sides’ return leg.
‘Arsenal played very well at times. They are just rolling,’ ex-Arsenal and England midfielder Merson said on Sky Sports after his former club’s 3-1 win on aggregate.
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Arsenal FC v Bayer 04 Leverkusen - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg
Eze almost burst the back of the net with a 36th-minute thunderbolt (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal FC v Bayer 04 Leverkusen - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg
Rice put the tie to bed with a second for Arsenal on the night (Picture: Getty)
‘I don’t want to say “machine” because it is disrespectful, but this is a machine that can do everything.
‘They are a proper team.’
Merson added: ‘It was a brilliant performance. Onto the quarter-finals.
‘Ben White was steady. Whoever comes in, he does a job.’
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There were excellent performances across the pitch from Arsenal’s perspective but it was Rice who went home with the man-of-the-match award after another lung-busting display in the middle of the park.
The Englishman’s goal was his first in the Champions League this season and his fifth in all competitions for the north London giants.
‘What a goal,’ Merson said of Rice’s classy 63rd-minute strike.
Arsenal FC v Bayer 04 Leverkusen - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg
Arsenal midfielder Rice was named the Playstation Player of the Match (Picture: Getty)
‘They were under pressure, Leverkusen. Some great defending from [Jarell] Quansah and then [Viktor] Gyokeres’ shot got blocked for a corner when he should have passed it to Saka.
‘The corner gets cleared to Declan Rice, it’s coming out the air, he takes a touch… you think he’s going to shoot, he takes another touch and then whips it in the corner.
‘It’s a phenomenal finish by Declan Rice and who, again, has been absolutely outstanding.’
Arsenal FC v Bayer 04 Leverkusen - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg
The Gunners will take on Sporting for a spot in this year’s semi-finals (Picture: Getty)
Speaking to TNT Sports shortly after the final whistle, Rice made sure to give credit to Leverkusen for giving his Arsenal team ‘a lot of problems’ over the course of the two legs.
The former West Ham man felt the Gunners ultimately deserved to go through, though, and perhaps should have won by more on the evening.
‘A third year in a row in the quarter-finals. It was a really tough game over the two legs so credit to them, they caused us, even though it may not look like it, a lot problems on the pitch,’ he said.
Arsenal FC v Bayer 04 Leverkusen - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg
Arsenal are the only undefeated team in this year’s competition (Picture: Getty)
‘They’re a really good tactical team but in the end we deserved the win tonight.
‘We could have scored maybe three or four but to win 2-0 was solid and we’re very happy to get through.’
On Arsenal’s relentless schedule, Rice added: ‘I’m shattered. It’s non-stop. We are obviously still in all competitions.
‘It’s been every three days since October so it’s been different but we’ve been coping with it the best we can.
‘It is really tiring but when you have a night like tonight, round of 16 to get through to the quarter-finals, you find energy and ways to win and you keep doing that so it’s all good.’
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