Jack Grealish & Alexandre Pato send message to Arsenal star with 100% long balls vs Leverkusen

Arsenal progressed to the quarter-final stage of the Champions League after a 3-1 aggregate victory over Bayer Leverkusen.

The Gunners played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the round of 16 against Leverkusen last week and needed a better showing at the Emirates Stadium.

They started off brilliantly yesterday and managed to progress to the last eight of the competition after superb goals from Eberechi Eze and Declan Rice (2-0).

Eze’s powerful strike was phenomenal, but Rice was awarded the man of the performance after a solid all-round performance, capped with a crucial second goal.

Shortly after the game, Rice took to Instagram to express his delight.

There were several comments, including a couple from Manchester City star Jack Grealish (on loan at Everton) and former Brazilian sensation Alexandre Pato.

Both of them responded with clapping emojis. Here is a screenshot.

Aside from his goal, Rice completed 85 percent of his passes with a long ball accuracy of 100 percent (4/4). He won four duels with three recoveries, three interceptions and two clearances.

The central midfielder had 70 touches in the game. He made several forward runs to the edge of the box and eventually capitalised on a loose ball to score a vital second goal on the night.

This was Rice’s 17th goal contribution of the campaign for the Gunners.

The Englishman is undoubtedly playing his best football. He will have his sights on his maiden silverware with the Gunners in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.

Manchester City are a challenging opposition to face at any venue. Arsenal and Rice must be at their best to end the club’s almost six-year wait for a trophy under manager Mikel Arteta.

After Wembley, there will be an international break before the FA Cup quarter-final at Championship outfit Southampton in early April.

Arsenal will then face Sporting CP in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final away.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com

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