After drawing the first leg 1-1 at Leverkusen, The Arsenal are hoping to put the tie to bed, in this second leg, at the Emirates.
Our brilliant result against Everton, and us extending our lead at the top of the Premier League to 9 points, should shut the Arsenal haters up for a little while. They can leve us alone! (You see what I did there. HA!)
I believe we’ll play much better than we did in the first leg, and with the Emirates crowd rocking, Bayern Leverkusen could be in for a daunting evening… especially if we score an early goal.
Our starting lineup was David Raya in goal, Hincapie at left-back, Gabriel and Saliba, central… and Benny Blanco (Ben White) at right-back.
In midfield, it was Rice, Zubimendi, and Eze… and up front… it was Trossard on the left, Gyokeres through the middle, and Saka on the right.
The match started rather evenly, with possession an equal share… and neither team able to gain the required advantage, to break the deadlock.
As expected, Leverkusen were very well organised, and were reluctant to break their defensive shape, and had no ambitions of committing players forward.
As the half progressed though, The Gunners started to move the ball quicker, and began to build some meaningful attacks. The speed of play was opening up spaces, and shots the Leverkusen goal were a regular occurrence.
Yes, their keeper made some good saves, but A LOT of the shots were straight at him, and were at a favourable height.
Our dominance was now clear for all to see, but with the Leverkusen keeper in the form of his life… it was going to take something special to beat him.
In the 36th minute, Eberechi Eze said… “Something Special” is my middle name… hold my drink.”
Trossard laid the ball off to Eze, on the edge of the box… and Eze, with his back to goal… flicked the ball up slightly with a deft touch, and then on the turn… he struck the ball with the power of a celestial being, matched only by the otherworldly accuracy. The ball flew past the keeper, and into the top corner!! 63 keepers wouldn’t of saved it! What a goal!! 1-0 to The Arsenal!!
It’s a first Champions League goal for Eze, and it’ll no doubt be the first, of many.
Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to create any further clear cut chances. The half finished 1-0 to us, and we deserved more. So, with Bayern Leverkusen only a goal behind, they were still very much in this tie.
The second half started how the first half ended, with The Arsenal in the ascendancy. We were trying to get an early goal, to kill the tie off completely… and avoid any potential nervousness, in the latter stages of the game.
The Gunners continued probing, but as the minutes ticked away, the second goal started to look more, and more, elusive.
The aforementioned nervousness, began to rear its ugly head.
In the 63rd minute though, the Arsenal faithful could breathe a little easier.
Leverkusen were put under immense pressure, and failed to clear their lines. The resulting scuffed clearance, broke to Declan Rice… and he showed great composure, as he passed the ball into the net, from just inside the box. 2-0 to The Arsenal on the night!!.. and 3-1 on aggregate.
With a 2-goal cushion, Arteta decided to make changes in the 69th minute.
Norgaard came on for Zubimendi, Mosquera replaced Benny Blanco, Martinelli came on for Trossard… and Havertz replaced Eze.
Eze had an excellent game, and I’m not just talking about his magnificent goal.
His defensive work off the ball was brilliant, his movement was exceptional, and his link-up play was outstanding. He was doing little flicks around the corner… little one-two’s… he was dribbling, and creating space for others. It was one of his best performances, in an Arsenal shirt.
I need to also mention Gyokeres’ performance, because he ran tirelessly, he held the ball ball up well, he bullied defenders, and he was involved in everything good that we did.
Bayern Leverkusen were seeing more of the ball, but they weren’t doing anything with it. We just let them borrow the ball, until we intercepted with ease. Our class was showing, and school was in session.
The Gunners saw the rest of the game out professionally, barring a late save that David Raya was forced into. The clean sheet, stayed clean though… and we won 2-0, and deservedly made it to the quarter finals.
It was yet ANOTHER big win from The Arsenal, and another example of why we don’t deserve the criticism that we’ve faced from the mainstream media, and from some of our own fans.
We’ve played 51 games, in all competitions this season… and we’ve only lost 3 games.
The Gunners have been nothing short of spectacular, thus far. Again… LEVE US ALONE!!
Aaaaaaanywhooooo… no time to ponder, for we have a date with destiny… and I believe it’s our destiny, to beat Mancheatster City, in the Carabao Cup Final… and hold aloft our first piece of silverware, in 6 years.
First thing’s first though…
What would your starting 11 be, for the Carabao Cup Final?
Do you think winning the Carabao Cup, will act as a catalyst… for us to win the other trophies?
If Odegaard is fit again, should he be made to fight for his place… or should he just walk back into the team?
Let me know in the comments as usual. COYG!!
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