There was little drama in the second leg between Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen, despite the Germans’ impressive showing at home in the first encounter. On this occasion, however, the “Pharmacists” fell well short, allowing Mikel Arteta’s side to comfortably secure their place in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.

The visitors, led by Kasper Hjulmand, struggled to impose themselves and only carved out a genuine scoring opportunity in the dying minutes of normal time. By then, the tie was already beyond their reach. Arsenal, composed and clinical, delivered a near-perfect performance—controlling the tempo and striking once in each half.

The breakthrough came in the first half, and it was nothing short of spectacular. Eberechi Eze produced a moment of pure brilliance, taking the ball on the turn outside the penalty area and firing a first-time strike into the top corner—an effort worthy of the goal of the round.

Arsenal maintained their dominance after the interval, continuing to press and dictate play. Their persistence paid off in the 63rd minute when Declan Rice intercepted a poor clearance from the German side and calmly drilled a low shot into the left corner, effectively ending the contest.

Bayer Leverkusen were handed a late chance to salvage some pride in the 87th minute, but David Raya produced an excellent save to deny a powerful effort and preserve his clean sheet, ensuring there would be no late twist.

The final whistle confirmed a 2–0 victory for Arsenal, who now march into the next round of the UEFA Champions League. Awaiting them in the quarter-finals is Sporting CP.

2025-26 UEFA Champions League

Arsenal - Bayer 04 2:0 (1:0)
Goals: Eze, 36 (1:0); Rice, 63 (2:0)

Arsenal: Raya; Saliba; White B. (Mosquera Cr., 69); Hincapie; Gabriel M.; Zubimendi (Nørgaard, 68); Saka B.; Eze (Havertz, 70); Rice; Gyökeres (Lewis-Skelly, 90); Trossard (Martinelli, 69)
Substitution: Nørgaard (from 68); Mosquera Cr. (from 69); Martinelli (from 69); Havertz (from 70); Lewis-Skelly (from 90)
Bench: Arrizabalaga; Calafiori; Madueke; Dowman M.; Gabriel Jesus

Bayer 04: Blaswich; Quansah; Tapsoba E.; Grimaldo; Andrich (Fernández Ez., 83); Aleix Garcia; Palacios Ex. (Schick, 70); Terrier (Tillman M., 59); Maza; Poku E. (Culbreath, 60); Kofane
Substitution: Tillman M. (from 59); Culbreath (from 60); Schick (from 70); Fernández Ez. (from 83)
Bench: Omlin; Lomb; Oermann; Tape; Hofmann
Yellow Cards: Palacios Ex. 46