Arsenal take on Bayer Leverkusen in the last-16 of the UEFA Champions League at the BayArena. The Gunners won all of their eight league phase matches to both set up this meeting with Kai Havertz and Piero Hincapie’s old club, and to grant them the boost of playing the second leg of every knockout match at home.
This means the away leg is up first. Bayer 04 made it to this stage of the competition after beating Olympiacos in a knockout round, and it is the first time the aforementioned Havertz will return to face his former side.
Mikel Arteta said pre-match that there is no room for mistakes at this stage of the competition, which will see his Arsenal side looking to win the tournament for the first time in their history. He welcomes back Ben White to the travelling group, with both Riccardo Calafiori and Leandro Trossard also confirmed to have made the trip.
**Tom Canton**, our Arsenal reporter, will keep you up to date with all the build-up, match commentary and reaction live from Germany and the BayArena. Updates to follow…
19:30Jake Stokes
Noni Madueke wins a penalty for Arsenal. The winger goes down pretty lightly. Didn't look like there was much, if any, contact...
19:28Jake Stokes
Jurrien Timber meets a cross in the box and heads over from close range.
19:25Jake Stokes
Gabriel Jesus replaces Eberechi Eze, while Jonas Hofmann and Equi Fernandez come on for Martin Terrier and Ezequiel Palacios.
19:24Jake Stokes
Leverkusen clear their lines and squander another counter-attack.
19:23Jake Stokes
Arsenal win a free-kick in a dangerous area.
19:21Jake Stokes
Leverkusen catch Arsenal on the counter-attack but blast the ball over the bar.
19:19Jake Stokes
Kai Havertz comes on for Viktor Gyokeres, while Malik Tillman replaces Ibrahim Maza.
19:14Jake Stokes
Martin Zubimendi was cautioned for a slide tackle. The Arsenal midfielder won the ball, but he caught the opposition on the ankle with his studs on the follow through. Bit harsh.
19:13Tom Canton
Madueke tries to break and combines with Gyokeres but the cross is easily collected.
19:13Jake Stokes
Martin Zubimendi has been booked.
19:10Jake Stokes
Exequiel Palacios is shown a yellow card. Third of the evening for Leverkusen.
19:10Tom Canton
Madueke is on and is already affecting the game, finding Eze on the right and the cross is blocked earning the Gunners their first corner.
Evetually cleared...
19:10Jake Stokes
Noni Madueke on for Bukayo Saka. Gabriel Magalhaes takes the armband.
19:10Jake Stokes
Leverkusen deal with the delivery and win a goal kick.
19:10Jake Stokes
Gabriel Martinelli wins Arsenal a free-kick in a dangerous position. Tight angle. Declan Rice standing over the ball.
19:10Jake Stokes
Leverkusen have enjoyed a brilliant start to the second half. They leapt out of the gates! A great passage of play from kick-off which led to the corner they eventually scored from.
Arsenal pushing for an equaliser. I wonder how long it will be until Mikel Arteta makes a few changes...
19:10Tom Canton
Saka has had a pretty poor game and is going to be replaced here we assume.
19:10Jake Stokes
Robert Andrich was perhaps fortunate not to be sent off in the opening minutes of the clash following an accumulation of tackles. The Leverkusen skipper, who was let off the hook and given a stern warning by the referee, broke the dead lock.
He found space at the backpost, leaping highest to head home a corner. The Bundesliga outfit are in the driving seat.
19:10Jake Stokes
Bayer Leverkusen have taken the lead through Robert Andrich. 1-0 to the home side.
19:10Tom Canton
**David Raya – 6**
**Jurrien Timber – 7**
**William Saliba – 7**
**Gabriel – 7**
**Piero Hincapie – 7**
**Martin Zubimendi – 5**
**Declan Rice – 6**
**Eberechi Eze – 7**
**Bukayo Saka – 6**
**Viktor Gyokeres – 6**
**Gabriel Martinelli – 6**
19:10Jake Stokes
The fourth official has announced there will be a minimum of two added minutes.
19:10Tom Canton
Kofane and Terrier both see opportunities blocked and go wide respectively.
19:10Jake Stokes
Gabriel Martinelli's effort, which struck the crossbar not too long ago, remains the closest that Arsenal have come in the first half... so far! Close tie.
19:10Tom Canton
The Brazilian booked for pulling back the shirt of Palacios needlessly.
19:10Tom Canton
Hincapie against his former club forces a save from Blaswich
19:10Tom Canton
Taking a shot in the chest after Quansah's strike from outside the box is blocked by the Brazilian.
19:10Tom Canton
Gabriel Martinelli has struck the bar!
19:10Tom Canton
Kofane was causing Gabriel some problems there but the Leverkusen loanee sprinted back to get a foot in.
19:10Tom Canton
Arsenal now getting more on the ball and the pace has softened. However it should be said that as predicted this is a much more open game than the Gunners have been used to in the Premier League.
19:10Tom Canton
First chance for the home side, a good move into the middle and the young striker tries from range and Raya safely catches it.