We were told by Crystal Palace fans that Eberechi Eze comes alive in the 'business end' of the season, but sometimes unless you see things with your own eyes, you never really believe it.
If his performance in the away leg was all touches and little end product, this was a very obvious step-up from a man who Thomas Tuchel might be eyeing up for a starting place in the England squad, at this rate.
His goal yesterday was, quite simply, sensational. It was a goal worthy of winning every game, and his celebration afterwards was too cold.
All Arsenal fans have been behind him; we feel a sense of 'living through another's actions' when we see a boyhood Arsenal fan doing the business for his club. We can picture ourselves in that position and the joy of that ball hitting the net.
But none of us are Eze; his ball striking has so much power in it, it really is something to watch live and in the flesh. We saw it against Mansfield, but that can be easily dismissed given the inferior opposition.
In the Champions League, it was a stubborn and decent opponent in Leverkusen, and it always felt as though something would need to happen to break the deadlock against a Leverkusen keeper who was playing a blinder until that point.
Eze stepped up. One touch to set, then 'BANG'.
Given we've been told repeatedly how Arsenal don't play exciting football, that it isn't great to watch, this was one that flew in the face of such accusations. It was a brilliant finish on a night in which Arsenal set themselves up – confidence-wise – perfectly for the League Cup on Sunday. Bring it on.
Find more from Chris Howard at Suburban Goonersand the Same Old Arsenal Podcast
