Arsenal’s Arteta Illuminates Champions League Run, Boosting Ekong’s Impact!
Arteta hails growing influence of Eze as Arsenal reach Champions League quarters Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta heaped praise on Eberechi Eze and his growing understanding of the Spaniard’s system as their side cruised to a 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen to reach the Champions League quarter finals. A superb half-volley from distance by Eze and Declan Rice’s clinical second-half finish rounded off a dominant second leg performance from the Gunners , who won 3-1 on aggregate to progress at the German side’s expense. Arteta’s side removed any doubt with a display that combined relentless attacking pressure with defensive control, having given the visitors little to no opportunities and recorded their 25th clean sheet in 49 competitive matches this season.
Arteta highlighted his side had been in control long before the breakthrough, and credited the quality of Eze’s finish that finally made the most of their control on the game. “I think we started the game so well, we were a threat from every angle,” he said. “The Leverkusen keeper [Janis Blaswich], kept them in the game we needed a magical moment from Eze to score a wonderful goal to give us the lead.
” Signed to bring creativity and incision in the final third, Eze is now beginning to deliver with increasing consistency and his manager made clear that his influence extends far beyond spectacular goals. Arteta said: “He has the rhythm, he has understanding with his teammates as well, what we want. “Especially his level of activity with the ball, without the ball, in the spaces that he moves, the purpose that he’s showing every time he’s in and around the box.
” It is that growing understanding, both of tactics and his teammates, that has underpinned Eze’s recent form. Now with four goals in his last seven games, the midfielder appears to be finding his place within Arsenal’s system at a crucial stage of the season. Arteta highlighted the link between Eze’s confidence and his attacking output.
He said: “I think he’s building a better chemistry, better understanding with all of them. We start to understand him as well much better. “When you start to make a good game, a good action, an action that can win you the game, that lifts your confidence as well and that’s what every player needs.
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