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Arsenal face Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie on Wednesday.
The Gunners finished top of the league phase with eight wins from eight games to underline their status as one of the favourites to lift the trophy this season.
Leverkusen have endured a more difficult campaign, but they did win 2-0 at Manchester City and draw 2-2 at home to Newcastle United during the initial stage of the competition, so Kasper Hjulmand's side will believe that an upset is possible.
The winners of this two-legged tie will meet either Bodo/Glimt or Sporting CP in the quarterfinals.
MORE: Have Arsenal ever won the Champions League? How their record looks
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Arsenal score
Score Goal scorers
Leverkusen 0 -
Arsenal 0 -
Location: BayArena (Leverkusen, Germany)
Referee: Umut Meler (TUR)
Predicted lineups:
Bayer Leverkusen (4-2-2-2, right to left): Blaswich (GK) — Quansah, Andrich, Tapsoba, Grimaldo — Palacios, Garcia — Culbreath, Maza — Terrier, Kofane
Arsenal (4-3-3, right to left): Raya (GK) — Timber, Mosquera, Gabriel, Hincapie — Eze, Zubimendi, Rice — Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Arsenal kick off time
The match kicks off at the BayArena in Leverkusen, Germany at 6:45 p.m. local time.
Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories:
Date Kickoff time
USA/Canada Wed, Mar. 11 1:45 p.m. ET
USA/Canada Wed, Mar. 11 10:45 a.m. PT
UK Wed, Mar. 11 5:45 p.m. GMT
Australia Thu, Mar. 12 4:45 a.m. AEDT
India Wed, Mar. 11 11:15 p.m. IST
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Arsenal pre-match stats
Via Opta Analyst
Arsenal won 4-1 when these teams last met in August 2024.
Leverkusen are on a six-game unbeaten run at home but have only won one of their past five Champions League matches at the BayArena.
Arsenal have won both halves in four of their eight Champions League games in 2025/26.
The Gunners have lost all five of their previous knockout ties against German opposition in this competition. However, all five of those were against Bayern Munich.
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Arsenal team news
Bayer Leverkusen team news
Leverkusen are without top scorer Patrick Schick, who has a muscle issue.
Goalkeeper Mark Flekken is also injured, while Arthur, Loic Bade and former Real Madrid star Lucas Vazquez are also sidelined, leaving the defence looking light.
Nathan Tella and Eliesse Ben Seghir are doubts with respective foot and knee issues.
Arsenal team news
Martin Odegaard is still out with a knee problem and will miss the trip to Germany.
Ben White and Mikel Merino are sidelined with muscle and foot injuries.
William Saliba, Leandro Trossard and Riccardo Calafiori are all expected to be available despite recent injury scares, although all three could well start on the bench.
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Arsenal highlights, key incidents
This section will be updated as highlights become available.
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Arsenal talking points, analysis
This section will be updated after the match.
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Arsenal reaction
Post-match reaction from both teams to follow.
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Arsenal upcoming schedules
Bayer Leverkusen upcoming fixtures
Date Competition Match Location
Sat, Mar. 14 Bundesliga Bayer Leverkusen vs. Bayern Munich BayArena
Tue, Mar. 17 Champions League (RO16, 2nd leg) Arsenal vs. Bayer Leverkusen Emirates Stadium
Sat, Mar. 21 Bundesliga Heidenheim vs. Bayer Leverkusen Voith-Arena
Arsenal upcoming fixtures
Date Competition Match Location
Sat, Mar. 14 Premier League Arsenal vs. Everton Emirates Stadium
Tue, Mar. 17 Champions League (RO16, 2nd leg) Arsenal vs. Bayer Leverkusen Emirates Stadium
Sun, Mar. 22 Carabao Cup (final) Arsenal vs. Man City Wembley Stadium