{"id":420,"date":"2026-03-18T10:58:03","date_gmt":"2026-03-18T10:58:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/?p=420"},"modified":"2026-03-18T10:58:03","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T10:58:03","slug":"paul-merson-praises-absolutely-outstanding-arsenal-star-in-bayer-leverkusen-win-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/?p=420","title":{"rendered":"Paul Merson praises ‘absolutely outstanding’ Arsenal star in Bayer Leverkusen win | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\n\t\t\"Manchester\t<\/div>
Declan Rice was \u2018absolutely outstanding\u2019 against Bayer Leverkusen, says Paul Merson (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Paul Merson singled out Declan Rice for special praise in Arsenal\u2019s 2-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen, applauding the midfielder\u2019s \u2018absolutely outstanding\u2019 performance to help his side progress to the Champions League quarter-finals.<\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s goal.<\/p>\n

David Raya kept out Christian Kofane with a stunning save late on to further frustrate Tuesday\u2019s visitors and the Premier League leaders held firm to safely advance to the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n

Mikel Arteta\u2019s 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\u2019 return leg.<\/p>\n

\u2018Arsenal played very well at times. They are just rolling,\u2019 ex-Arsenal and England midfielder Merson said on Sky Sports after his former club\u2019s 3-1 win on aggregate.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"Arsenal\t<\/div>
Eze almost burst the back of the net with a 36th-minute thunderbolt (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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\n\t\t\"Arsenal\t<\/div>
Rice put the tie to bed with a second for Arsenal on the night (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018I don\u2019t want to say \u201cmachine\u201d because it is disrespectful, but this is a machine that can do everything. <\/p>\n

\u2018They are a proper team.\u2019<\/p>\n

Merson added: \u2018It was a brilliant performance. Onto the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n

\u2018Ben White was steady. Whoever comes in, he does a job.\u2019<\/p>\n

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There were excellent performances across the pitch from Arsenal\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

The Englishman\u2019s goal was his first in the Champions League this season and his fifth in all competitions for the north London giants.<\/p>\n

\u2018What a goal,\u2019 Merson said of Rice\u2019s classy 63rd-minute strike.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"Arsenal\t<\/div>
Arsenal midfielder Rice was named the Playstation Player of the Match (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018They were under pressure, Leverkusen. Some great defending from (Jarell) Quansah and then (Viktor) Gyokeres\u2019 shot got blocked for a corner when he should have passed it to Saka.<\/p>\n

\u2018The corner gets cleared to Declan Rice, it\u2019s coming out the air, he takes a touch\u2026 you think he\u2019s going to shoot, he takes another touch and then whips it in the corner.<\/p>\n

\u2018It\u2019s a phenomenal finish by Declan Rice and who, again, has been absolutely outstanding.\u2019<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"Arsenal\t<\/div>
The Gunners will take on Sporting for a spot in this year\u2019s semi-finals (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Speaking to TNT Sports shortly after the final whistle, Rice made sure to give credit to Leverkusen for giving his Arsenal team \u2018a lot of problems\u2019 over the course of the two legs.<\/p>\n

The former West Ham man felt the Gunners ultimately deserved to go through, though, and perhaps should have won by more on the evening.<\/p>\n

\u2018A 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,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"Arsenal\t<\/div>
Arsenal are the only undefeated team in this year\u2019s competition (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018They\u2019re a really good tactical team but in the end we deserved the win tonight.<\/p>\n

\u2018We could have scored maybe three or four but to win 2-0 was solid and we\u2019re very happy to get through.\u2019<\/p>\n

On Arsenal\u2019s relentless schedule, Rice added: \u2018I\u2019m shattered. It\u2019s non-stop. We are obviously still in all competitions.<\/p>\n

\u2018It\u2019s been every three days since October so it\u2019s been different but we\u2019ve been coping with it the best we can. <\/p>\n

\u2018It 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\u2019s all good.\u2019<\/p>\n

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