Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Wed 18 March 2026 10:28, UK

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Everton winger Jack Grealish applauded Declan Rice for his performance in Arsenal’s win over Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday.

The England international netted the Gunners’ second with a brilliant strike from the edge of the box as they won 2-0 to progress to the Champions League quarter finals.

Eberechi Eze had scored the first with a devastating half volley that left the impressive Janis Blaswich with no chance.

The Premier League leaders will face Sporting CP in the quarter-final, as they look to end their wait to win the Champions League.

Arsenal’s form has been impressive in recent weeks as they continue to keep the improbable dream of winning the quadruple alive.

Jack Grealish sends Declan Rice message

Rice is the favourite to win player of the year in the Premier League this season, and he has even been mentioned in conversations surrounding the Ballon d’Or.

The midfielder has enjoyed a superb season and he was in fine form yet again on Tuesday, netting his fifth goal of the season.

The England international raced ahead of Montrell Culbreath to take the ball down, controlling it from height before killing it with his second touch.

Faced with the edge of the box, Rice chose to curl the ball around Edmond Tapsoba and into the bottom corner.

But it was not just his goal that stood out. The 27-year-old created two chances and dominated the middle of the pitch, as Arsenal fans have come to expect.

Rice was already a world-class player, but he looks to have gone up yet another level this season as he enters his prime years.

Posting on Instagram after the match, the midfielder wrote: “Quarters soon. On we march to Sunday.”

Grealish commented with clapping emojis, applauding the 27-year-old for another superb display.

Grealish’s future remains in the balance

Grealish is expected to miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery on a serious foot injury.

The winger has enjoyed a superb season on loan with Everton, but will have been hugely disappointed by how it is set to end.

That does not necessarily mean the end of his time at Hill Dickinson Stadium, however, with the Toffees set to enter negotiations to sign him permanently in the summer.

Grealish’s loan move contains a £50million option to buy, although Everton are likely to negotiate a lower price for a player entering the final year of his contract.