Arsenal turns quadruple ambition into genuine contention

March 20, 2026 Oliver Obel

Arsenal’s bid to compete for silverware on multiple fronts remains firmly on track after a 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen sent the club into the Champions League quarterfinals.

According to the Associated Press, the victory secured a 3-1 aggregate result and kept Mikel Arteta’s side alive in all four major competitions this season a rare position as the campaign enters its decisive phase.

Despite growing outside talk of a potential quadruple, players insist their focus has not shifted beyond the immediate schedule.

“We don’t actually get too caught up in it because it’s coming thick and fast ... There’s no time to think about what’s going on,” midfielder Declan Rice said after the match.

Arsenal currently holds a nine-point lead at the top of the Premier League and will face Manchester City in the English League Cup final on Sunday. The team has also advanced to the FA Cup quarterfinals, keeping multiple paths to silverware open.

Rather than looking ahead, Rice emphasized the importance of consistency between games.

“We just keep playing matches and preparing as quickly as we can,” he said. “Momentum and confidence is everything in football, and the more you keep winning, that feel-good factor around the place is really good for everyone.”

In Europe, Arsenal’s next opponent will be Sporting Lisbon, which advanced after overturning a three-goal first-leg deficit against Bodo/Glimt with a 5-0 second-leg win, the Associated Press reported.

Domestically, Arsenal has been handed a favorable FA Cup draw against second-tier Southampton, increasing its chances of reaching the semifinals.

The League Cup final could present another opportunity. Manchester City heads into the match after a 2-1 loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League, a game in which it was reduced to 10 men early, according to the Associated Press.

For Arsenal, recent results have reinforced belief within the squad.

“We’ve got the momentum we feel like we can win every match we play,” Rice said. “And that’s a good thing to have at the minute.”

Rice also praised teammate Eberechi Eze, who opened the scoring against Leverkusen with a powerful strike from outside the penalty area.

“Honestly, he’s frightening,” Rice said. “Around the edge of the box, left foot and right foot, there’s not many players I’ve seen hit the ball better than him.”

Sources: Associated Press