declan rice scored his fifth goal of the season as Arsenal beat Bayer Leverkusen, curling a powerful shot from outside the area on Tuesday night ET that helped secure a two-goal aggregate lead. The England midfielder ran a full 90 minutes in a performance teammates have nicknamed “The Horse, ” a display that has been recurring every three days as the club chases trophies on four fronts. His strike allowed manager Mikel Arteta to rest several key players with the Carabao Cup final on Sunday (ET) in mind.
Declan Rice: Relentless engine
Rice’s finish came after Eberechi Eze’s powerful first-half strike and extended his tally to five goals for the season across competitions. The 27-year-old’s powerful side-footed effort from outside the area gave Arsenal a decisive cushion with less than 30 minutes remaining on Tuesday night ET and left the team comfortable enough to rotate later in the tie.
Across this campaign he has been a constant presence: he has started in 37 of 43 appearances and has logged the third-most minutes of any outfielder for Arsenal, behind midfield partner Martin Zubimendi and the now-injured Jurrien Timber. His all-action, 90-minute displays and relentless running underpin the midfield balance that has become vital as the team pursues multiple competitions simultaneously.
Rice’s set-piece delivery is a clear weapon; he has registered 11 assists and eight of his 21 goals for Arsenal have come from outside the box, including his three most recent Champions League strikes and two iconic free-kicks in last season’s quarter-final tie with Real Madrid. His ball-striking and corner deliveries have repeatedly created opportunities for the team.
Immediate reactions
Declan Rice, England midfielder, Arsenal: “I’m shattered, it’s non-stop. We’re in all the competitions still so it’s been every three days since October. We deal with it best we can but it’s difficult. We find ways to win and it’s all good. Everyone asks where I get my energy from. I just get this second burst of energy. “
Declan Rice, England midfielder, Arsenal, on the goal: “I stepped in front of him [the Leverkusen defender], the first touch set me up for everything, there was nowhere else to go so I just went for it. “
Declan Rice, England midfielder, Arsenal, on mentality: “You find it in your belly somewhere to keep on fighting, to make the tackles, to win. “
Quick context and squad dynamics
Rice and Martin Zubimendi form one of the key midfield partnerships, providing a solid base in front of the back four while sharing heavy minutes this season. Their importance has grown amid injury issues for captain Martin Odegaard. Both Rice and Zubimendi were given a rare rest in the FA Cup win over Mansfield Town, but with a congested schedule their availability will remain crucial.
What’s next
Arsenal advance into the quarter-finals of this competition with a 3-1 aggregate success, and attention now turns to the Carabao Cup final on Sunday (ET) and a packed fixture list thereafter as the club pursues silverware on multiple fronts. Expect Declan Rice to remain central to selection decisions, minute management and set-piece plans as the campaign enters its busiest phase.
