Arsenal are set to take on Bayer Leverkusen at Emirates Stadium on a Tuesday evening, March 17 2026 – kick off will be at 8:00 PM GMT, with Leverkusen’s supporters in England having to stay up a bit later, as it clocks in at 9:00 PM WAT / 9:00 PM CET.
This huge UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second-leg tie is basically all-square after a proper first leg in Germany on March 11, where Robert Andrich of Leverkusen headed the visitors ahead in the second half – but Kai Havertz equalised for Arsenal from the penalty spot in the 89th minute, which just so happens to be against his old club.
For Mikel Arteta‘s Gunners, who are still unbeaten in the league phase and pushing for that elusive Premier League title, the aim is to get the Gunners through in front of a super-charged home crowd, meanwhile Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen will be looking to cause a massive upset and sneak into the quarter-finals.
Match Summary
Arsenal ended the Champions League league phase spotless and have a seriously strong home record in Europe, having not conceded in recent matches and applying some high-intensity pressure on their opponents.
The first leg was an absolute cracker – Leverkusen got in front through Andrich’s headed goal from a corner, and Noni Madueke‘s last-ditch tumble in the box caused a penalty, which Kai Havertz slotted away with his trademark coolness to keep the tie just about alive.
There is no away goals advantage so we will either go to extra time or pens if it ends 1-1 – Arsenal’s set-piece strengths and attacking depth give them a bit of an edge at the Emirates, whereas Leverkusen’s organisation and the deadly effect of their counter attacks remain a risk to Arsenal.
Expect a super-tense battle of wits with goals well and truly possible – both teams create chances for fun and past meetings, including the recent 1-1 draw, suggest that this will be an absolute barnburner. The atmosphere at the Emirates will be one of the fattest of the competition and will surely have the Gunners dominating possession and trying to find space to exploit.
Head-to-head: It’s recent ties are more or less even, with the first leg ending 1-1, and historical draws suggest that these matches are always going to be tight contests.
Possible Lineups
Arsenal (4-3-3) : Raya – Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapié – Rice, Zubimendi, Ødegaard – Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Mikel Arteta has a few reasons to be optimistic – William Saliba is back, and Bukayo Saka has been in great nick of late. There could be a bit of doubt over Rice/Ødegaard, but the core of the team looks solid – and it’s great to see Kai Havertz motivated to do well against his old club.
Bayer Leverkusen (3-4-2-1) : Blaswich – Quansah, Andrich, Tapsoba – Poku, Palacios, García, Grimaldo – Tillmann, Terrier – Schick
Xabi Alonso has fielded the same old reliable team – there are few major injury worries. Robert Andrich is going to be key in midfield for Leverkusen, as he was in the first leg, and Álex Grimaldo and Patrik Schick are looking to get in behind Arsenal’s defence and create problems.
Prediction
Arsenal’s dominance at home, set-piece prowess, and quality in the shape of Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz should do the trick. Leverkusen gave them a hard time in the first leg and they’ll be looking to counter once more – they might just manage to sneak a goal or two, but Arsenal’s control of the game and that electric Emirates atmosphere is going to tip the tie in their favour – probably a hard-fought and entertaining tie that will go the distance.
Final score prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Bayer Leverkusen (Arsenal advance 3-2 on aggregate)
