UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUND OF 16 PREVIEW, BAYER LEVERKUSEN VS ARSENAL

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DATE:11-03-2026
VENUE: BAY ARENA, GERMANY 
TIME: 6:45pm NG


 _Written by: Francis Joseph_ 

2002 Champions League finalist Bayer Leverkusen host Premier League Leaders Arsenal in the round of 16 of the Uefa Champions League, the Gunners came into this match seeking to continue their impressive European form this season which saw them win all matches at the group stage and topped the UCL league phase.

For Bayer Leverkusen, they should be well aware of the threats their illustrious opponents pose both on the offensive and in set-piece play and am sure they would want to give little away in terms of threat from the Gunners set-piece especially as they are at home in the first leg.

Surely arsenal are the favourite heading into this tie but i see Leverkusen doing a kind of damage control game, they would try to stay in the game going into the second leg at the Emirates next week while giving themselves a chance to cause an upset against arsenal in the return leg.

*Team News*

Host Bayer Leverkusen are without their key attacking player Patrick Schick for this one and he will be a big miss but will surely rely on Cameroonian striker Christian Kofane and Midfielder Alex Grimaldo to see if they can get them the goals while hoping to keep it tight at the back.

For the Gunners, they are almost at full strength for this tie with the likes of Saka, Gyokeres, Saliba, Gabriel etc all fit and roaring to go. Trossad and Calafiory also trained ahead of this tie after suffering injury scare in their last match against Mansfield in the FA Cup.

Prediction

With both sides looking very solid so far in their defense this season, i won't be surprised if we don't get to see plenty goals on this one, also Bayer Leverkusen knowing how good arsenal have been this season would want to keep it tight and hope to go to the Emirates with a chance of qualifying.

The last time both sides met in the league at the Bay Arena during the 2001/2002 season it ended a 1-1 draw.

For this one i will go for a slim Arsenal win, It will be very hard for Leverkusen to stop arsenal from getting a first leg advantage heading into the second leg when you look at the quality they possess all around and how well they have done so far this season.

Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen 1-2 Arsenal.

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