Eberechi Eze’s performance against Bayer Leverkusen prompted Declan Rice to remind the Arsenal squad to give the midfielder the ball on the edge of the box more often.
Eze was fantastic against Bayer Leverkusen, helping Arsenal on their way to the quarter-final of the Champions League with a 2-0 win in the round of 16 second leg.
The summer signing was a catalyst behind the win on a night that saw many Arsenal players rate highly against Leverkusen, scoring a ridiculous volley to give the Gunners the lead in the first half.
From start to finish, Eze’s performance was top-quality, so much so that Declan Rice now thinks Arsenal need to change the way they play because of his teammate.
VOTE for Arsenal’s Man of the Match against Bayer Leverkusen
Declan Rice says Arsenal players need to pass to Eberechi Eze more because of his shooting quality
After the game, Rice caught up with TNT Sports, where he was asked to share his thoughts on Eze’s strike.
“He’s got one of the best shots I’ve seen, left foot and right shot,” Rice admitted, before saying, “We need to keep getting him in those areas because, honestly, he’s frightening.”
Martin Keown then asked the midfielder, “Do you feel that when you give him the ball?”
Rice didn’t hesitate to double down on his thoughts that he and his teammates need to get Eze into those positions more often.
Agree or disagree: Eberechi Eze just scored Arsenal’s goal of the season
“Around the edge of the box, left foot and right foot, there aren’t many players I’ve seen that hit the ball better than him.
“We need to keep giving him the ball around the edge because he can make things happen.”
Eze has shown how dangerous he can be around the box this season, undoubtedly scoring his best goal as a Gunner so far when Leverkusen visited.
The Arsenal squad’s reaction to Eze’s goal against Bayer Leverkusen was telling
It was another sublime goal for Eze to add to his catalogue, and he might just savour that one the most, being that it was his first in the Champions League.
Post-match, the 27-year-old admitted that he didn’t think he could even dream of scoring a goal as good as the one he did against Leverkusen, and his teammates certainly agreed.
Looking at the reactions of those around him during the celebrations, it’s clear to see just how impressive the volley was.
Both Ben White and William Saliba couldn’t believe what they’d seen, clutching their heads in disbelief.
In his first season, Eze has presented the Emirates with some memorable moments, adding to the list to send Arsenal to the final eight of the Champions League knockouts.
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