Kai Havertz scored an 89th-minute penalty against his former side Bayer Leverkusen to rescue a 1-1 draw for Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie at the BayArena.
The Gunners appeared to be heading for their first Champions League loss of the season after Robert Andrich's goal from a corner straight after half-time, but they were handed a reprieve when Malik Tillman was adjudged to have fouled substitute Noni Madueke.
The hosts were aggrieved by the decision but it was upheld after a lengthy VAR check, allowing Havertz, who had received a warm reception from the home fans after his introduction form the bench, to coolly convert an invaluable equaliser from the spot.
The Gunners went into the game having won all eight of their league phase fixtures but turned in a drab display overall and were breached by a set-piece goal reminiscent of one of their own when Andrich headed in Alejandro Grimaldo's inswinging corner.
The opener came just 45 seconds into the second period and followed a superb save by David Raya after Bayer Leverkusen had fashioned a chance for Martin Terrier straight from kick off.
Arsenal had gone closest in a tight first half, rattling the crossbar through Gabriel Martinelli following a slick break, but laboured offensively, especially after Leverkusen's opener, with Jurrien Timber heading one of few clear chances over the bar.
Havertz's penalty, won by one of few bright performers in Madueke, who made a positive impact following his introduction for Bukayo Saka, was only Arsenal's second shot on target of the evening. They finished the game having had only six shots in total
Despite their poor performance, they will return to the Emirates Stadium for next week's second leg as favourites to advance thanks to Havertz's penalty, converted against his boyhood club to clinch a valuable draw as they continue their hunt for silverware on four fronts.
### Madueke: We are confident we can finish the job
Arsenal's **Noni Madueke** told _TNT Sports_: "We came here to try to win, but when you can't it's good to draw.
"We're fully confident heading back to the Emirates, we're confident we can get the job done back in London."
On the penalty, he added: "I felt contact, so I went down, penalty. I know Kai very well, he's been scoring high-pressure goals all his career. I had 100 per cent confidence in him.
"When you come on and your team is losing, you've got extra impetus to take risks. I tried to mix it up as much as possible.
"When you score in the last minute to draw it's a positive. We know we could have been better, but away to a top team, it's a positive result.
"Our basics could be better. On the ball we weren't as good at threatening their box, but we will show that in London, for sure."
### Story of the match in stats...
**Round of 16 second legs:** March 17-18
**Quarter-finals:** April 7-8 and 14-15
**Semi-finals:** April 28-29 and May 5-6
**Final:** May 30 (Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary)
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