Arsenal take on Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League last-16 on Tuesday evening, looking to reach the quarter-finals of the competition for the third straight season. Waiting for them is one of Sporting CP or Bodo Glimt although the latter go into their meeting with a three goal advantage.
The Gunners have no such lead having drawn 1-1 in Germany last week. Mikel Arteta therefore knows that unless he wishes to endure another penalty shootout at this stage only a win will suffice.
Leandro Trossard has returned to the fold whereas Jurrien Timber and Martin Odegaard are both out of the affair alongside Mikel Merino. Kasper Hjulmand oversaw an impressive 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich at the weekend and will be bringing plenty of momentum into the meeting in north London.
Tom Canton, our Arsenal reporter, is at the Emirates Stadium and will bring you all the latest news and updates as it happens...
18:20Sam Truelove
Arsenal 2/7
Draw 9/2
Bayer Leverkusen 9/1
_Odds via [bet365](https://www.bet365.com/?affiliate=365_04012674#/AC/B1/C1/D8/E190461736/F3/I%5E18/)_
Sam Truelove
* Bayer Leverkusen have progressed from four of their five major European knockout ties against English clubs, failing only against Liverpool in 2004-05 in the UEFA Champions League. Arsenal's only previous European meetings with Bayer Leverkusen came in the second group stage in 2001-02, drawing 1-1 away and winning 4-1 at Highbury.
* All five of Arsenal's UEFA Champions League knockout ties against German teams have come against Bayern Munich, going out in the last 16 in 2004-05, 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2016-17, and in the 2023-24 quarter-final.
* 43% of Bayer Leverkusen’s chances created in the UEFA Champions League this season have come from the left side (split by left/centre/right thirds); the highest percentage of any team. Indeed, left wing back Alejandro Grimaldo has created 23 chances for them in this edition, which is 12 more than any of his teammates (11, Ibrahim Maza).
* Arsenal’s Viktor Gyökeres has netted 10 goals in 15 UEFA Champions League appearances, four of which have been scored following a carry (travelling 5+ metres with the ball). Coming into the second leg of the round of 16, only Vinícius Júnior (6), Raphinha and Lamine Yamal (both 5) have more goal-ending carries in the competition since the start of last season.
* Since the start of last season, Arsenal defender Jurriën Timber has the lowest dribbled past percentage (7.4%) of any player to attempt 50+ true tackles in the UEFA Champions League (4/54).
_\*Stats provided by [BOYLE Sports](https://www.boylesports.com/sports/football)._
Tom Canton
Hello and welcome to **football.london** for live coverage of Arsenal's clash with Bayer Leverkusen at the Emirates Stadium this evening.
**Tom Canton** is in North London throughout the day to bring you live updates!