Declan Rice is called "The Horse" by his Arsenal team-mates and his performance in the 2-0 win against Bayer Leverkusen again showed why he has more than earned that nickname. But one player who stayed on the pitch as Arsenal ran out 3-1 winners on aggregate was the 27-year-old Rice. Rice has played the third-most minutes of any outfielder in all competitions for Arsenal - behind midfield partner Martin Zubimendi and the now-injured Jurrien Timber - starting in 37 of his 43 appearances this term. Rice scored two iconic free-kicks for Arsenal against Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of this competition last season and his powerful side-footed finish against Leverkusen came from outside the area too. "You find it in your belly somewhere to keep on fighting, to make the tackles, to win."

Source: BBC March 18, 2026 04:00 UTC