Arsenal booked their place in the UEFA Champions League quarter finals after a confident 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen at the Emirates, sealing a 3-1 aggregate triumph and extending their unbeaten run in all competitions to 14 matches.
With the tie level on aggregate at kick-off, Mikel Arteta’s side wasted little time in taking control and pushing for an early breakthrough. Leandro Trossard was heavily involved in the opening stages. He came close on several occasions, but Leverkusen goalkeeper Janis Blaswich produced a series of important saves to keep the visitors in the contest.
Arsenal’s pressure eventually paid off when Eberechi Eze produced a moment of real quality, striking brilliantly from the edge of the area to score his first-ever Champions League goal and give the Gunners a deserved lead on the night.
Trossard continued to threaten and went close again, but it was Declan Rice who delivered Arsenal’s second with another excellent finish. The England midfielder moved into space just outside the box before curling a composed effort into the bottom corner to put the hosts firmly in command.
Eze looked lively throughout and nearly added another after cutting inside dangerously, but a strong block denied him. With the forward appearing to carry a knock, Arteta chose not to take risks and replaced him with Kai Havertz for the closing stages.
LOCKED IN FOR THE QUARTER-FINALS 🔐 pic.twitter.com/zQohrY7EY2
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 17, 2026
Havertz thought he had marked his introduction with a goal against his former club, only for the effort to be ruled out for a foul in the buildup. At the other end, Bayer Leverkusen had a rare opportunity to get back into the game, but David Raya came up with an excellent save to deny Christian Kofane.
It proved to be another polished European performance from Arsenal, who managed the second leg with authority and efficiency to progress into the last eight comfortably.
The result sets up a quarter-final clash with Sporting, while Arsenal now turn their attention to Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester City as they continue to chase silverware on multiple fronts.
