Arsenal beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 to book their place in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, sealing a 3-1 aggregate win.
Mikel Arteta’s side took control of the game early and never let it slip, building on their 1-1 first-leg result.
Eberechi Eze gave Arsenal the lead in the first half with a brilliant strike from the edge of the box.
The Gunners kept pushing but were denied several times by Leverkusen goalkeeper Janis Blaswich, who made a number of key saves.
Declan Rice made sure of the win after the break. He reacted quickly to a loose ball and calmly finished into the bottom corner.
Leverkusen had a late chance, but David Raya pulled off a sharp save to keep Arsenal’s clean sheet intact.
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“I think we started the game so well. I think we were a threat from every angle,” Arteta said after the match.
“The ‘keeper maintained them in the game, and we needed a magical moment from Ebs to score.
“But overall, I think we fully deserve to be in the quarter-finals.”
Arteta also praised Eze’s form and impact.
“He has the rhythm and understanding with his team-mates. He’s handling the pressure and expectations very well,” he said.
Eze, who came off in the second half, downplayed injury concerns.
“I’m alright, I’ll be ok,” he said.
Arsenal will now face Sporting Lisbon in the quarter-finals, with attention turning to their Carabao Cup final against Manchester City.