Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal Champions League preview, team news and prediction

Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen welcome Arsenal to the BayArena as both sides look to get a solid start in the Champions League round of 16

Two modern European powerhouses clash in the last 16 of the Champions League as Bayer Leverkusen host Arsenal at the BayArena for Wednesday’s first leg.

Leverkusen, the 2023-24 Bundesliga champions, earned their spot by overcoming Olympiacos in a two-legged playoff. Meanwhile, Arsenal were flawless in the league phase, recording eight straight wins and topping their group with both the best attack with 23 goals and conceding just four goals in the 36-team format. Mikel Arteta’s side swept past heavyweights like Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Inter Milan, fuelling hopes that this could finally be their year to lift the Champions League trophy—especially with a favourable knockout draw that keeps them away from the likes of Real Madrid, Liverpool, PSG, Bayern, and Manchester City until the final.

Still chasing an unprecedented quadruple, Arsenal continue to attract criticism for their tactical fouls, time-wasting, and set-piece reliance, but their results speak for themselves. They arrive in Germany on a four-game winning streak across all competitions, most recently edging Mansfield Town 2-1 in the FA Cup—making it eight times in 11 away matches they’ve scored at least twice.

Leverkusen, who famously went unbeaten in the Bundesliga 20 years after Arsenal’s own Invincibles, have faced challenges since their title triumph, especially after the departures of Xabi Alonso and Florian Wirtz. Under new boss Kasper Hjulmand, they’ve stabilized, reaching the last 16 for a second consecutive season. After a 16th-place league phase finish, Leverkusen controlled their playoff with a 2-0 away win over Olympiacos and a goalless home draw.

However, recent form is a concern: Leverkusen have just one win in their last five matches and were held to a thrilling 3-3 draw by Freiburg last time out. Still, their home record is strong, with a six-game unbeaten run at the BayArena and just one goal conceded in that span.

Historically, Leverkusen held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw in Germany back in 2002, but the Gunners have since claimed two emphatic 4-1 victories—one in that Champions League campaign and another in a 2024 pre-season friendly.

Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal Prediction

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Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal Team News

Several key Arsenal players missed the weekend’s match against Mansfield, but David Raya, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, and Gabriel Magalhaes were simply rested and are expected to return to the squad. However, William Saliba (ankle), Martin Odegaard (knee), and Ben White (knock) remain doubtful, while Leandro Trossard and Riccardo Calafiori, both withdrawn with injuries at the weekend, are also uncertain for this fixture.

Calafiori was likely to make way for Leverkusen loanee Piero Hincapie anyway, who is eligible to face his parent club. Saturday’s match-winner Eberechi Eze is set to replace the injured Trossard.

Leverkusen also have injury concerns, with Mark Flekken (knee), Loic Bade (hamstring), Arthur (ligament), Lucas Vazquez (calf), Eliesse Ben Seghir (calf), Nathan Tella (foot), and Patrik Schick (muscle) all sidelined. Schick has the best chance of returning midweek, but his fitness is uncertain, so teenage striker Christian Kofane may lead the line. Jarell Quansah is expected to anchor the defense, while Alejandro Grimaldo offers a significant set-piece threat, as shown by his recent free-kick goal against Freiburg.

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