3 positives and 1 negative from Arsenal's fantastic win against Bayer Leverkusen

Arsenal made their home advantage count on Tuesday night as they beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 (3-1 on aggregate) to reach the UCL quarter-finals.

The Gunners laboured in the first leg last week but took control here, with Eberechi Eze putting them in front via a thunderbolt on 36 minutes. It would only get better after the half-time break and a spot in the next round was earned before long when Declan Rice placed a fine shot into the corner to give the home team a cushion.

Positives and negatives from Arsenal’s deserved 2-0 win against Bayer Leverkusen

Leverkusen never looked like upsetting the odds – though Christian Kofane was only denied by a top-class David Raya save – and a few defensive substitutions from Mikel Arteta helped Arsenal to see it out for a well-earned win.

So, Arsenal are through in Europe; here are three positives and one negative from another fantastic result in this remarkable season.   

Positive #1: Eberechi Eze screamer

That is one way to open your UCL account!

Prior to the 36th minute, Arsenal had been well on top at N5 but still could not get their noses in front against a well-drilled Leverkusen team.

It could so easily have developed into a night of nerves and frustration; fortunately, Eberechi Eze had other ideas.

He let a Leandro Trossard pass roll across him before launching a screamer past Janis Blaswich in goal – the goalkeeper never stood a chance. It was the sort of cathartic smash of a ball that the fans were in desperate need of as half-time approached and it marked a turn in the tide of this tight knock-out clash.

After a tough campaign at the club, Eze is starting to become a more regular name in the Gunners XI now; it feels like the best is finally being drawn out of him and more stunners like this one could be a key weapon in the quadruple chase.

What a ridiculous goal!  

Negative #1: Only one up at half-time

Given the fact that they got the second goal, it seems harsh and trivial to pick out a negative like this on such a momentous night.

Nevertheless, one cannot deny how restless the home fans must have become – I know I did – as, for all their utter dominance, Arsenal simply could not put the ball into the back of the Leverkusen goal here.

Gabriel ought to have done better from two corners; Trossard was denied by an excellent save; both Trossard and Bukayo Saka tested the goalkeeper from the edge of the box. There was also a poor Ben White shot from close range that Blaswich saved.

No one cares (nor should they, perhaps) after a job well done, but the Gunners should have been two or three goals up at half-time and the fact they were not could have easily come back to haunt them later.

Instead, they kept their control and scored the all-important second after the break to seal their win, so that earlier inefficiency is forgiven.  

Positive #2: Much improved performance

Arsenal got the results they wanted in recent games, but their performances left a lot to be desired – it fuelled fears that they were running out of gas (once again) just when the finishing line had loomed into view.

They raised the level in spades on Tuesday night.

It is a mystery where they found the energy for it! They had zip and purpose about their display, they worked hard out of possession to thwart the Leverkusen attack, and they had shot after shot on goal, something which is often said to lack with ‘Set-piece FC’.

Many feared it would be a painful limp to the end of this campaign, yet Arsenal were rejuvenated in this match and looked like their old selves. Could this be an encouraging sign of things to come, with the cup final to come on Sunday?

Be excited.

Positive #3: Progress in Europe

Their efforts last week made it seem 50/50 whether they had enough to make it to the quarter-finals next month.

After the second leg, those doubts feel misplaced; there was only ever going to be one winner on the evidence of this match and it is a testament to Arsenal that they got such a crucial win with relatively little fuss.

A first UCL crown remains in sight and Arteta will fancy his chances of beating Sporting CP to reach a second consecutive European semi-final, though he will of course be wary of the last time he faced them in a knock-out tie.

The Gunners look a different beast in Europe this year and the ruthless style in which they beat Bayer Leverkusen, combined with their ‘nice’ side of the draw, means this could be the season when they get their hands on the trophy.

Anyone for a league and UCL double?