Declan Rice is called "The Horse" by his Arsenal team-mates and his performance in the 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen again showed why he has more than earned that nickname.
Rice's season has been defined by all-action 90-minute displays for the Gunners – and he is producing them every three days as his side chase silverware on four fronts.
The midfielder curled a powerful shot into the bottom corner for Arsenal's second on Tuesday night, giving the Gunners a two-goal aggregate lead with less than 30 minutes left that allowed Mikel Arteta to rest some key players with the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City on Sunday in mind.
But one player who stayed on the pitch as Arsenal ran out 3-1 winners on aggregate was Rice.
The 27-year-old has played the third-most minutes of any outfielder for Arsenal – behind midfield partner Martin Zubimendi and the now-injured Jurrien Timber – starting in 37 of his 43 appearances this term.
His goal against Leverkusen – adding to Eberechi Eze's powerful first-half strike – was his fifth this season and he has registered 11 assists, with his excellent delivery from corners a key weapon for the Gunners.
Rice and Zubimendi are one of the key partnerships in the Arsenal team. The pair run the midfield and their importance has risen with captain Martin Odegaard's injury issues this season.
Both midfielders were given a rare rest in the win over Mansfield Town in the FA Cup fifth round, but with crunch games coming thick and fast, their availability is going to be key.
They provide a solid base in front of the Arsenal back four and Rice's running power and ability to be effective at both ends of the pitch were on show again on Tuesday.
"He was immense," Mikel Arteta said. "The soul of the team."
"I don't think Declan Rice gets much of a break, he features in nearly every game and keeps churning out the performance," former Arsenal defender Matt Upson told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"It's pretty remarkable stuff. Physically, he's an absolute machine," said Upson.
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