Arsenal learn Champions League quarter-final opponents after Eze thunderbolt sinks Leverkusen

Arsenal’s Champions League quarter-final opponents have been confirmed after Eberechi Eze scored a spectacular debut European goal to help the Gunners beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday evening.

The north London side will face Sporting Lisbon in the last eight after the Portuguese club completed an extraordinary 4-3 aggregate comeback against Bodo/Glimt, overturning a 3-0 first-leg deficit with a dramatic extra-time victory at the Jose Alvalade Stadium.

Eze opened his Champions League account with a stunning 20-yard thunderbolt before Declan Rice added a classy second to seal a 3-1 aggregate triumph over the German champions, who had proved tricky opponents in last week’s 1-1 first-leg draw in Germany.

Awkward reunion awaits

The quarter-final clash will provide an intriguing subplot, with Arsenal striker Viktor Gyökeres set to face his former club. The Swedish international was locked in protracted talks with Sporting throughout the summer before eventually securing his move to the Premier League leaders.

According to Football London, Arsenal were dominant against Leverkusen at an Emirates Stadium still buzzing from Max Dowman’s history-making goal against Everton on Saturday.

The Gunners had needed a last-gasp penalty from Kai Havertz to secure their first-leg draw in Germany, but showed their quality on home soil to book their place in the Champions League quarter-finals for another consecutive season.

Favourable path ahead

Should Arsenal overcome Sporting in the last eight, they will face one of Barcelona, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur or Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals. Barcelona are currently level at 1-1 from their first leg against Newcastle at St James’ Park, with the return fixture scheduled for Wednesday evening.

Meanwhile, Spurs face an uphill battle after trailing Atletico Madrid 5-2 from their first leg in the Spanish capital, with their second leg also taking place on Wednesday.

Arteta’s side will be confident of mounting a serious challenge for European glory this season, having been drawn on what appears to be the weaker side of the bracket. The Gunners have avoided defending champions Paris Saint-Germain, European giants Real Madrid, German champions Bayern Munich, and Premier League title rivals Manchester City.

The quarter-final ties are expected to take place in early April, giving Arsenal time to prepare for their reunion with Gyökeres and his Sporting teammates as they continue their pursuit of Champions League silverware.