Arsenal's 2-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 was a dominant display underpinned by their clinical finishing and robust defensive organization.

The Gunners opened the scoring in the 36th minute through a well-worked team goal, with Emile Eze converting a pinpoint cross from Leandro Trossard. This set the tone, as Arsenal controlled 58% of possession and outshot Leverkusen 21 to 9 overall, with a staggering 12 shots on target compared to just 2 for the visitors.

Defensively, Arsenal's compact 4-2-3-1 shape stifled Leverkusen's attempts to build meaningful attacks, forcing them to rely on long-range efforts that were easily dealt with. Mikel Arteta's side won the possession battle (58%) and committed fewer fouls (4 vs 8), showcasing their discipline and organizational prowess.

The decisive moment came in the 63rd minute when Declan Rice doubled Arsenal's lead with a powerful strike from the edge of the box, taking advantage of Leverkusen's passive defensive approach. This tactical failure to press Arsenal's midfielders allowed the home side to dictate the tempo and create high-quality chances.