After earning a commanding nine-point gap on Manchester City at the weekend, Arsenal now return to Champions League action to face Bayer Leverkusen in the second leg of their Round of 16 encounter.
In the first leg, the Gunners drew 1-1 with the Bundesliga outfit after Kai Havertz’s scored against his former side in the dying embers.
Leverkusen scored first – through a Robert Andrich header in the 46th minute – and it took Arsenal until the 89th minute to equalise from the spot kick.
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Tuesday night gives Mikel Arteta’s men the opportunity to take one step closer to getting their hands on the Champions League title. It’s something they’ve never done but it’ll be high on your priority list.
Arteta implored to make key selection for Champions League clash
Arteta’s men – who are currently top of the 2025/26 Premier League – have the home advantage heading into the second leg and, on paper, their squad is much stronger than Leverkusen’s.
Arsenal spent north of £250 million on new players in the summer (hence why they reportedly have to sell at least one first-teamer) and that has helped them towards their four-pronged pursuit of silverware.
Their test against Leverkusen is a key juncture in what could be a memorable campaign for the Gunners and Gary Lineker, speaking on the Rest Is Football podcast, claims that Viktor Gyokeres should be dropped.
“I look at Arsenal and it’s hard to be too critical because they’ve done so well this season,” he said before insisting that Kai Havertz is a better option up top.
“But I still think they’re a bit short up top. I prefer Kai Havertz up there, personally, if he can get and stay fit. He’s more of a false nine but he gives them a bit more I think.
“It’s one to watch but Arsenal are going better than everybody else right now, they’re in a fabulous position in terms of being in all four competitions.”
Gyokeres vs Havertz: who’s the better option?
Gyokeres arrived from Sporting CP for a £65 million fee in the summer – but things haven’t got swimmingly for the Swede, who has scored 16 goals in 40 outings.
It’s been his lack of influence out of possession, however, that has raised eyebrows over his suitability to lead the line for the Londoners.
Leverkusen are very disciplined; and Lineker’s suggestion could benefit the English side. Gyokeres would struggle with a lack of space but Havertz’s superior movement is likely to cause plenty more problems.
Havertz scores
Spirits are high after Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Everton on Saturday (especially as City dropped points later on in the day against West Ham) and Arteta is likely to follow Lineker’s tactical spanner in the works.
Looking ahead, a fully fit Havertz should be Arsenal’s primary choice at centre-forward. The fixtures continue to come thick and fast as, after Leverkusen, they face City in the Carabao Cup final.