Arsenal travel to the BayArena today to face Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16 first leg of the Champions League, and this is the starting eleven selected by Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal produced a flawless performance during the league phase, winning all eight of their matches and establishing themselves as one of the standout teams in the competition. Their perfect record secured them automatic qualification for the round of 16, allowing them to bypass the playoff stage and advance directly to the knockout rounds.
Leverkusen, by contrast, had to navigate the additional challenge of the playoff round to reach this stage. Despite that hurdle, the German side will approach the match with determination, knowing that a strong performance could keep their European campaign alive.
Arsenal’s Impressive European Form
Arsenal’s performances so far in the competition have made them one of the teams that many opponents hoped to avoid in the draw. Their consistency, attacking strength and defensive organisation have allowed them to dominate matches throughout the earlier stages.
However, the knockout rounds often present a different type of challenge. Every match becomes more intense and tactical, and teams must maintain their highest level to continue progressing. Arsenal will be eager to extend their winning run and demonstrate that their earlier success was no coincidence.
Their confidence will also be boosted by a positive record against Leverkusen in previous meetings. Historical results can often provide psychological encouragement, especially in high-pressure European fixtures.
Leverkusen Seeking an Upset
The two clubs have met three times previously, and Arsenal has remained unbeaten in those encounters. The Gunners won the last two meetings by identical 4-1 scorelines, results that underline the challenge Leverkusen faces in this tie.
Recent domestic form may also be a concern for the German side. Leverkusen has managed just one victory in its last five matches, a run that does not represent ideal preparation for a clash with a team in such strong form.
Leverkusen will nevertheless be determined to prove they can compete with one of Europe’s most in-form teams and attempt to halt Arsenal’s perfect run in the competition.
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Forget about how we won against Brighton and Chelsea, winning ugly is considered a hallmark of champions , but Arsenal must get greedy
Only Saka in that attack
Same creativity devoid attack as against Brighton
Hopefully European teams can’t put us under pressure like the local teams
Europe might prove different to the Premier League in this match ….
Hopefully Rice and Zubi are fully recharged after the wkend break, they’ve been ever-present. COYG
Strong line up, capable of strong performance. Let’s get it done halfway. COYG!!!
I want a win obviously, but the main thing is to make sure we’re still in the tie come the home leg.
COYG
Strong lineup and time to show that we’re up to the challenge
Would have played Madueke on the left, otherwise usual line up, with no suprises, injuries aside.
And we are winning with a good margin!!
Forecast:
Stand out striker – Saka (*hits the net)
Stand out Defender – Saliba
Standout midfielders – Eze & Zubimendi (either or both get assists)
Forecast: 2-0 or else its a 3-0 route.
Clearly can’t underestimate Leverkusen who have done a good defensive job this half.
Shame Martinelli’s shot hit the bar but breaking them down has been very difficult
Tight match as expected. Need few chances and need to take them well.
Draw is not a bad result but a 0-1/0-2/1-2 would make our life so much easier next week.
Too slow from midfield again. And not looking for the early runs again. Bayer look ok but mainly from our poor decision making than their ability. Their central def on a yellow early and he looks a hot head and we have played away from him as soon as he was booked. We are not playing badly, we are playing like we always do but we should try to get a goal second half at least. Poor finish from Martinelli in the one decent move. I think we may need to rely on our subs to score.
I’m not sure if Zubimendi has made one forward pass and I’d love to see more urgency from Eze. Saka has become very predictable and finally, someone needs to look up and see that Gyokeres is making some decent runs.
He made 3 backwards on tge trot, when there was space in front.
Not a terrible 1st half. Only slight concern is Saka just not having that confidence and strength he used to have on the ball, was hoping the Brighton goal would kickstart his season. Know he is a little frustrated because Eze leaves him more isolated than Odegaard but still. Minor concern because the quality is obviously there with Saka, do think he misses the White, Odegaard triangle though.
Positives Gyokeres and Martinelli looked sharp and Eze is finding plenty of space, we’ll have chances 2nd half.
Maybe that White and Odegaard triangle made him a bit lazy; White drawing away any double teams, and Odegaard digs in on the right giving Saka 2 people to play with; as opposed to whomever is on the left, often left alone and isolated.
Saka has not looked like himself; is he carrying an injury or a niggle?
Well not an explosive first half. Leverkusen have been displined in their defending so far. Hopefully the second half opens up and we utilize the little space we get.
What a shocking start to the half.
Awful defending, rare for us. Done us there.
Terrible Angus.
A reaction is required and I hope it happens soonish
Our pressing is bang average without Odegaard coordinating it. That’s a reason we have looked vulnerable when defending leads.
This might be the worst performance by Saka ever. What is he doing running into three defenders?
Not surprised Saka has been replaced. He has been heavily marked and generally ineffective
He’s looked utterly clueless and not able to beat his opponent once. Shameful display considering he was also the captain tonight.
Feels like we have one shot on target. Atrocious offensive display yet again.
Not enjoying this, AGAIN. We need a spark from somewhere
Where are the subs. You just can’t wait this long. No urgency from this team
or this manager
And no joke time to start considering starting a 16 year old over some of these attackers. They’ve totally not shown up today. The whole starting front 3 are tragic to watch
Thats some uninspiring, slow and sluggish play. Way too many touches slowing down the game. We are lacking creativity and spark as mentioned above.
Arsenal missing the creative spark which Odegaard offers
Difficult to watch
Another poor performance. The way our wide forwards play holding the width with Gyok staying high on the shoulder of the opposing CBs is clearly setup to create space centrally for twin 8s and an inverted leftback to attack. Problem is we haven’t had twin 8s or an inverted fullback for months now. Arteta has to get this soughted ASAP.
Four letters describe tonight. It starts with an S and ends witha T.
Reggie,
What has SMUT got to do with it. 😂🤣👍
Get on Max Dowman – what is Arteta waiting for ?!?!
Champions of Europe? Not on this showing. No urgency again, such talented players but tonight is men against boys
Ooh
Might get a penalty
The contact is so minimal. Think that only gets given in Europe.
Penalty Arsenal
Well done Kai, big moment
Very very lucky. Soft penalty to say the least but its helped us when we needed it.
conspiracy against us continues lol ?
🤣🤣
Saliba is an absolute disaster tonight
I don’t care right now RSH. Just blo0dy glad Havertz showed he is as cool as a cucumber
For sure Sue. Can’t say I wouldn’t be furious if it was the other way around though
3 minutes is a joke took 3 minutes for the penalty. Was expexting 7-8 minut3s.
But the refs are against us?
That ref was shocking that Leverkusen captain who scored should have been sent off. Zubi made a fair challenge booked and was definitely a penalty.
Correct Kev. Also Havertz booking was a joke, as he was the one being held.
None of them should’ve gotten booked. Just common grabbing that always goes on in the box. Just blow whistle and have corner taken again. Strange refereeing today.
A draw then
Mightily relieved indeed
Great draw, we played awful football and got a huge lifeline, which we took. MOM Madueke for me, took them on when nobody else did.
Yeah huge difference Madueke coming, Martinelli had his moments to be fair to him (just holds it too long sometimes, like a few.)
Arsenal find a way to get results
Its like watching the X files
We’ll go through, shocking offciating though. Would have fancied a 2-1 with the correct added on there. Ref dealyed 2-3 min on corners. 3-4 min on the pen due to var and bayer arguing. Subs, 2 goal celebratipns, minor injuries Etc. 7 minutes minimum.
Their goalscorer shouldn’t have even been on the pitch. So yes, I agree – shocking officiating!
Penalty was given 86 (85 something seconds), scored 89 (88 something seconds. 3 minutes added on is utterly insane.
Havertz shouldn’t have been booked either!
Big shout out to Noni, who was excellent. Have to say I was surprised the pen was given, but I’ll take it all day long. Fair play to Kai for taking it – cool as you like!
Not a bad result in the end 👍
Such huge pressure on Kai being back at the club who made him for the 1st time since covid. Bittersweet moment for him I guess.
I must admit I watched the pen through my fingers! He handled the pressure admirably
Sue,
Regards Havertz penalty, I’m still hiding behind my sofa. Can I come out yet. 😂👍
🤣🤣 I think you’re safe, Derek
Hello again Sue,
This is the second time I’ve come out from behind my sofa now. 😂👍
I’m impressed, Derek 🤣
How i wish we get a prime Fabregas or Cazorla or Rosicsky to this team now. We won all trophies already. The least we can do is get Odegard fit for the remaining games. SIMPLE
Boring boring Arsenal
Got out of goal. Deservedly or undeservedly? , depends on how one eyed you are. If any team has a right to moan about the ref it would have to be thy home team. Too much pressure on our wingers to break the defence and too easy for defenders to mark them. We create very little from the middle or open play which has to be down to Eze’s failure to get in the game or Arteta and his coaching staff’s ability to come up with attacking ideas. Eze is no Odegaard but then again, I haven’t seen our captain control a game for a number of seasons. Arteta needs to put his trust in Dowman. He is one of our few players who can insert zip, skill and energy. This game also showed up the uselessness of our inverted center halves. Why was Timber always there to stuff up attacking moves. The guy is nothing more than a useful central defender.
That was a poor showing today, very poor indeed. Eze picks the matches he turns up or is it that he becomes very poor when faced with top defenders?
Martinelli almost seems like he stops to pat himself on the back whenever he successfully beats a defender or just kick and hope the ball finds someone in the box to head it in. Zubimendi, what more can I say about zubimendi, when the team is on the attack you him play well when on the back foot and defending you see how poor he is.
The passing was too slow , the creativity non existent, the urgency zero. The lads better not repeat this next week at the Emirates.