Former Arsenal defender Matthew Upson says the Gunners had been “snug” in Tuesday’s Champions League win over Bayer Leverkusen.
Objectives in both half from Eberechi Eze and Declan Rice despatched Mikel Arteta’s aspect into the quarter-finals, the place they may play Portuguese aspect Sporting.
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“They had been again to that Arsenal you see at residence when the match begins and they’re simply on the opposition,” Upson advised BBC Radio 5 Reside’s Soccer Each day podcast.
“They had been throughout them, urgent them, not permitting them to play out.
“Leverkusen might by no means actually get a foothold within the sport. Arsenal weren’t creating plenty of possibilities at the beginning however then unexpectedly the corners began flowing, then the alternatives got here, then the opposition received stretched and ragged. The again three of Leverkusen needed to defend the field, the goalkeeper made just a few saves, and so they had been underneath siege.
“It took a little bit of brilliance from Eberechi Eze to attain the primary purpose and from then on you simply by no means felt like Arsenal weren’t going to undergo.
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“Within the second half, Leverkusen got here out and had been higher and had a little bit of a go however did not have the innovative. That’s the distinction.
“In opposition to a or that degree will go up a notch or two and that would be the actual take a look at to see the place this Arsenal workforce is at this season, however on this fixture they had been snug, business-like and calm.
“The stadium was in a constructive temper and it was comparatively simple ultimately.”