Arsenal set up a Champions League quarter-final against Sporting Lisbon as superb goals from Eberechi Eze and Declan Rice completed a 3-1 aggregate win over Bayer Leverkusen.
The Gunners needed a late Kai Havertz penalty to salvage a 1-1 draw from the first leg but produced a dominant display at the Emirates Stadium to continue their hunt for silverware on four fronts.
Eze broke the deadlock on the night in the first half when he controlled a Leandro Trossard pass and rifled home a sensational finish from outside the box for his fourth goal in seven games.
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Paul Merson reacts to Eberechi Eze’s stunning opener
Rice added the second in similarly eye-catching style after the hour mark, cutting out a Leverkusen clearance then driving towards the edge of the box and stroking an exquisite finish into the corner.
Eberechi Eze celebrates with Declan Rice after opening the scoring
The visitors owed it to their goalkeeper that the margin of defeat was not greater. Janis Blaswich made a total of 10 saves as Arsenal laid siege to his goal for long periods, with Gabriel, Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard among those denied.
Ben White, starting only his second game since late January in place of the absent Jurrien Timber, also had a first-half effort saved at point-blank range following a goalmouth scramble.
The visitors were restricted to few chances but did go close on one occasion in the closing stages, when David Raya was forced into an acrobatic, one-handed save from Christian Kofane.
The victory pits Arsenal against Portuguese side Sporting, who overcame a three-goal first leg deficit to beat Bodo/Glimt 5-3 on aggregate earlier on Tuesday.
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Paul Merson reacts to Declan Rice’s brilliant second goal
Mikel Arteta’s now side face Manchester City in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final on the back of two invaluable victories, with their latest following Saturday’s 2-0 win over Everton in the Premier League.
Their hopes of silverware continue to grow.
Story of the match in stats…
When are the knockout stages?
Quarter-finals: April 7-8 and 14-15 Semi-finals: April 28-29 and May 5-6 Final: May 30 (Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary)
Arsenal’s busy April schedule
April 4: Southampton (A), FA Cup quarter-final, kick-off 8pm
April 7/8: Sporting CP (A), Champions League quarter-final, kick-off TBC
April 11: Bournemouth (H), Premier League, kick-off 12.30pm*
April 14: Sporting CP (H), Champions League quarter-final second leg, kick-off TBC
April 19: Manchester City (A), Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm, live on Sky Sports
*subject to change
