1 hour ago
55
How football.london rated the Arsenal player performances in the clash with Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday night
Arsenal produced one of their best performances of the season to progress through once again to the quarter-finals of the Champions League. They will face Sporting CP in Lisbon after the Portuguese side came from three goals down to beat Bodo/Glimt.
The Gunners had the best early chances of Leandro Trossard and Ben White both went close, testing Janis Blaswich from close range. After forcing so many mistakes, Eberechi Eze made none when the ball popped up to him on the edge, spinning and firing a volley past the stubborn Leverkusen keeper.
Declan Rice, the other side of the half-time whistle, then put the home side in the driver’s seat, taking down a high ball, driving forward before striking an effort low into the bottom right corner brilliantly. Kai Havertz then thought he’d scored but it was deemed he handled it into the net.
David Raya then produced a brilliant save to stop Christian Kofane from making the final moments rather dicy. A big win ahead of a big game in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday while their opponents Manchester City were dumped out of the tournament by Real Madrid.
Here is how football.london rated the performances of the Arsenal players involved:
David Raya – Had very little to do in the first half except gratefully catch a headed effort straight at him. Had to continue to marshall his box well aerially as the crosses continued to come in. Made a wondersave late on. 8
Ben White – Arguably should have put the Gunners in front but waved a leg at the ball pinballing around the box. Was a little loose with some of his passing, surrendering possession in his own half in the second period. 7
William Saliba – Dealt much better with Christian Kofane than in the first leg, and was unfazed most of the game. 8
Gabriel – Should have done better with some of the early headed opportunities afforded to him. But at the other end he defended really well, in particular a wonderful defensive clearance to prevent Schick heading in. 8
Piero Hincapie – Came across the box really well to prevent a shot from Alex Grimaldo in the first half. Continued to make critical blocks in key areas, another top display and likely puts him in contention to start the final. 8
Martin Zubimendi – Was buzzing around in the first half, finding the right spaces and some good passes. At the start of the second, he read a pass from Christian Kofane to prevent a good chance from forming. 7
Declan Rice – Nearly produced another piece of free-kick magic, forcing Blaswich into a strong save from a tricky angle. Yet it was in the second half where he really made an impact, finishing a great attempt after taking down a high clearance to hand the Gunners control. 8
Eberechi Eze – Take a bow! What a strike from the summer signing who fired in a gorgeous volley from the edge of the box. This certainly upped his confidence, and some wonderful tricks and flicks were on show in the aftermath, but had to be replaced after it seemed like he tweaked something. 9
Bukayo Saka – Forced a save from Blaswich after a mix-up at the back gifted him the right-footed opportunity. Had many chances to try and find a good pass or shot but was continually frustrated by the Leverkusen defence, but applied so much effort down the right. 7
Viktor Gyokeres – Had a shot from outside the box in the second half, saved low by Blaswich. Came alive around the 63rd minute, seeing a great driven cross nearly create a chance before a shot was then deflected wide.
Found a brilliant cross on his left foot that Saka headed across for the ruled-out Havertz goal. 8
Leandro Trossard – Had a couple of early attempts from outside the box, one dragged wide, the other testing Blaswich from range. Could of given the Gunners the lead from close range, but Blaswich saved really well. 8
Substitutions:
Cristhian Mosquera – Came in at right-back and secured the right hand side, repelling Leverkusen wing play down their left flank. 6
Gabriel Martinelli – Defensively was called upon more than at the other end, which he fought hard to see out the victory. 6
Christian Norgaard – Came on for some rare minutes, and to help give Zubimendi some rest ahead of the final. Was passed through however a little too easily at times. 5
Kai Havertz – Thought he’d scored immediately but replays showed a clear handball. 6
Myles Lewis-Skelly - Came on too late to earn a score. n/a
English (US) ·