Eberechi Eze scored a spectacular goal to put Arsenal 1-0 up against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League last 16, with team-mates left in disbelief at the emphatic strike
Eberechi Eze may have delivered a composed response to his Champions League thunderbolt, but his Arsenal colleagues reacted with rather less restraint. The midfielder fired the Gunners in front during their last-16 clash with Bayer Leverkusen courtesy of a blistering strike that prompted some jaw-dropping reactions.
Eze unleashed a ferocious effort on a bouncing ball from outside the area to defeat Janis Blaswich, who had been performing heroics at the Emirates. The goalkeeper barely had time to respond, such was the velocity of the shot.
William Saliba and Ben White immediately buried their heads in their hands in sheer astonishment, whilst Declan Rice, no stranger to a Champions League screamer himself, could only chuckle at the audacity. Mikel Arteta’s celebrations were passionate, to put it mildly.
The strike represented the 27-year-old’s maiden goal in the Champions League. Whilst those surrounding him descended into pandemonium and mobbed him, Eze merely tugged at the Gunners’ crest on his shirt.
The former Crystal Palace icon did permit himself some emotion as he embraced defender Gabriel Magalhaes once the celebrations started to fade. There was little harm in displaying some elation following a strike that edged Arsenal closer to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
READ MORE: Clubs ‘contact Premier League bosses’ after Chelsea avoid points deductionREAD MORE: Arsenal profit from VAR error for second time this season as mistake admitted
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football’s Facebook page
Former Arsenal centre-back Matthew Upson struggled to find adequate praise for Eze’s effort. “What a way to score your first Champions League goal,” he remarked.
“That is sensational. What a hit. With his right foot, it’s out of nothing, it’s a ball bouncing about, loose in the air.
“Eze’s first touch with his left, swivels and as it sat up on his right, he just powers it in. Middle of the goal but right near that post. The goalkeeper had no chance, it went past him in a flash.
Upson believes Eze is finding his feet at Arsenal after signing in the summer. “Just finding the change of gear to play at a club like Arsenal takes a little bit of time to settle in,” Upson said. “Eze is up and down at the moment but he’s getting there. Especially a season like this, there’s so much winning pressure, a slip up is around the corner at every moment.”
If Arsenal succeed in turning their advantage into a win, they will face Sporting CP in the next round of action. The Portuguese side managed to overturn a 3-0 defeat to Bodo/Glimt in their first leg to triumph in extra time.
Watch Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen on TNT Sports

Arsenal have reached the UEFA Champions League round of 16 where they face Bayer Leverkusen on March 17. Fans can watch the game on Prime Video’s TNT Sports channel.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us – and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.



You must be logged in to post a comment Login