Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal: Can Leverkusen halt the Gunners charge in Champions League Round of 16?
by Thobelani Moyo | by Thobelani Moyo
An uphill battle awaits Bayer Leverkusen in the UCL Round of 16
Bayer Leverkusen have fallen below their usual standards since the departure of former head coach Xabi Alonso and some of their key players last season, after a memorable 2023-24 season where they clinched the Bundesliga title.
Die Werkself is bound to finish in the European places this season in the Bundesliga, but the main objective is to secure a Champions League berth. However, they couldn't build momentum in their pursuit of that position over the weekend after a thrilling 3-3 draw away to Freiburg. That shouldn't raise any alarm bells as they are three points behind the coveted spot.
Focus now shifts to Europe's top-tier competition, where their route to the Round of 16 was not easy. Kasper Hjulmand's men finished outside the top eight and settled for 16th place in the league phase standings.
This was only enough to grant them a spot in the knockout playoffs, where they met Greek opposition Olympiacos and won 2-0 on aggregate, confirming our Champions League predictions.
A challenging fixture now awaits them in the Round of 16 as they take on Arsenal, a side brimming with confidence. They are winless against this side in two games.
It was in the 2001-02 UCL group stage, when they settled for a 1-1 draw on the road before being beaten 4-1 at home. Can they halt this downward spiral?
The Gunners formidable attack and defense make them a threat
Arsenal approaches this fixture with plenty of confidence. Over the weekend, they beat Mansfield 2-1 on the road in the fifth round of the FA Cup. Thanks to this, they booked their spot in the quarter-finals against second division Southampton. It must be pointed out that they are also in the EFL Cup final.
The Gunners are also enjoying a great run in the Premier League, where they currently lead at the top with a seven-point cushion. The Champions League is another stage where they will hope to turn that domestic dominance into European success.
Mikel Arteta's men dominated the league phase, finishing at the top with a three-point cushion. Their success was well reported as they had the best offensive (GF 23) and defensive (GA 4) records. In fact, they achieved a 100% record, becoming the first team to do so in the league phase.
The English side enters this clash boasting an 11-match unbeaten run across all competitions. Notably, their away record in the Champions League has been impressive with eight wins in their last nine outings. Is this enough to secure a first-leg advantage in the Round of 16? Find out what our experts have to say in our Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal prediction for more insights into the game.
Those numbers underline just how dangerous they have become as they chase a historic quadruple this season.
Player to watch: Viktor Gyokeres
A lot of Arsenal's key players were rested ahead of this crucial encounter. One of those names is Viktor Gyokeres, whose performance after a move from Sporting Lisbon has been far from ideal.
However, the Swedish international has played a pivotal role this season. In the Premier League, he has scored ten goals in 28 games. Shifting to the UEFA Champions League, he has been involved in six goal contributions, scoring four and providing two assists.
It must be noted that he has contributed to three goals in the last two games in this competition (two goals and one assist). Expect him to lead the attack this evening.
Another name that could cause problems for Bayer Leverkusen's defense is Gabriel Martinelli. With Bukayo Saka struggling for form, the left winger has stepped up to the plate, particularly in this competition, where he has been involved in seven goal contributions.
His six goals in seven games average 0.86 per match, and he has made 13 total attempts at goal (1.86 attempts per match). This highlights his efficiency and constant threat in front of goal.
