Mikel Arteta's Arsenal rescued a late draw away to Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.
The Gunners got off to a lightning start and almost took the lead within 10 seconds, but apart from a Gabriel Martinelli strike that clattered the crossbar, they were largely blunted throughout the opening 45 minutes. Leverkusen remained resolute in their defensive block, while looking for opportunities to counterattack.
While they weren't rewarded for their efforts in the first half, it didn't take Leverkusen long after the restart to find a breakthrough. Ironically, it came via a corner, with Robert Andrich nodding home at the back post for the German outfit. It looked like a first-leg defeat, until a surging Noni Madueke run resulted in a penalty for Arsenal, with former B04 ace Kai Havertz converting from 12 yards.
Not only one of the best Arsenal players this season, but one of the best performers in all of Europe. Was let down by his team-mates after making a stunning save just before the corner that made it 1-0.
Probably not the outlet Arsenal wanted receiving the ball on the right-hand side, but was strong from a defensive point of view.
Got lost under the ball for Andrich's opening goal, but was otherwise his usually dependable self. Had plenty of running towards his own goal to do with the Leverkusen counters, yet battled well against a tricky Leverkusen attack.
There's no doubting his quality, but the question is: do Arsenal need him in midfield every single game? The Spanish midfielder keeps the ball ticking over, but there are times when they could do with someone who is going to pick a pass that unlocks the defence.
He's here, he's there, he's everywhere. If every Arsenal player matched his intensity, they'd have had the Premier League title wrapped up months ago. A real energiser bunny and by far and away their most important player.
Lost his man at the back post for the Leverkusen opener, and while the Englishman wasn't on the pitch for his defensive contributions, it wasn't much better at the opposite end.
Has gone missing in big matches for Arsenal far too often in recent weeks. A deflected shot in the win against Brighton shouldn't paper over the cracks. If the north Londoners are to be successful in the run-in, the Englishman has to up his game. Hooked around the hour mark.
These were the matches that Arsenal spent big bucks on the Swede for. But by the end of his 75 minutes on the pitch, the striker failed to register a shot on target. Simply put, it isn't good enough.
Added a much-needed sense of directness off the bench.