Big night ahead: Arsenal take on Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League
Arsenal will look to book their place in the Champions League quarter-finals as they host Bayer Leverkusen tonight. The last-16 tie is level at 1-1 after last week’s tense first leg in Germany, where Kai Havertz came off the bench to score a late penalty against his former club and cancel out Robert Andrich’s early second-half header. It was a below-par performance from the Gunners, who fell behind in the competition for the first time this season.
But Mikel Arteta’s side will be strong favourites to advance on home soil and secure a last-eight clash with either Bodo/Glimt or Sporting, having broken down stubborn Everton late on Saturday to extend their Premier League title advantage to nine points as teenager Max Dowman continued to shine. Arsenal remain in contention for four major trophies during what could be a very special finale to the season, though are without Jurrien Timber and Martin Odegaard this evening due to injury.
Leverkusen head to the Emirates Stadium after drawing with nine-man Bayern Munich in a dramatic contest in the Bundesliga, where they currently sit sixth under Kasper Hjulmand. Follow Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen live below!
Arsenal team news
Arsenal are without Jurrien Timber tonight after the versatile Dutch defender was forced off with an ankle issue in the first half of Saturday’s dramatic late 2-0 home win over Everton in the Premier League.
The Gunners are still missing influential captain Martin Odegaard due to a lingering knee complaint, with Mikel Arteta hoping that both players could yet be fit to face Manchester City in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final at Wembley.
However, Leandro Trossard is back after a minor knock picked up in the FA Cup win at Mansfield that ruled him out against Everton and the first leg in Leverkusen.
16-year-old sensation Max Dowman will be pushing for a maiden Champions League start after his weekend heroics, though Mikel Merino remains a long-term absentee after undergoing surgery on a rare and serious foot injury.
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
How to watch Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen
TV channel: In the UK, Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen will be televised live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage starting from 7pm GMT.
Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the discovery+ app and website.
Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen live
Good evening and welcome to Standard Sport’s live coverage of Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.
This last-16 tie is level at 1-1 after last week’s first leg in Germany, where the below-par Gunners needed a late penalty from substitute Kai Havertz against his former club to rescue a draw after an early second-half header from Robert Andrich.
Mikel Arteta will be demanding a much more convincing performance tonight as his side - who had not trailed in a single match en route to topping the league phase at a canter - look to seal a spot in the quarter-finals, where either Bodo/Glimt or Sporting will lie in wait.
Kick-off in north London is at 8pm GMT, so stay with us for match build-up, team news and live updates, including expert analysis from Arsenal correspondent Matt Verri at the Emirates Stadium.