Kai Havertz and Piero Hincapié set for Bayer Leverkusen homecoming in UEFA Champions League clash with Arsenal
Kai Havertz and Piero Hincapié are heading back to Bayer Leverkusen after the Rhineland club were pitted against English Premier League leaders Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League last 16.
Leverkusen overcame Olympiacos 2-0 on aggregate in their knockout phase play-off, while Arsenal advanced as league phase table-toppers after winning all eight games, including a 3-1 downing of runaway Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich on Matchday 5.
Interestingly, in spite of the Gunners’ dominance on the continent this term, Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes had hoped to face the London-based outfit, explaining prior to the draw: “It would be great if we were drawn against Arsenal. Then we could finally say goodbye to Kai Havertz at our stadium - almost six years after his departure”.
Now, Rolfes' wish has come true.
Havertz, who departed the BayArena back in September 2020 to join Chelsea, is yet to face his former club in a professional setting, having only previously lined up against Leverkusen in a pre-season friendly at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium back in August 2024.
Prior to his departure, Havertz had been at the club since the age of 11. A rapid rise through the academy ranks preceeded the youngster's recordbreaking senior Bundesliga debut against Werder Bremen in October 2016, when - aged just 17 years, four months and four days - the starlet became Die Werkself’s youngest ever debutant at the time (now ranked sixth).
Needless to say, his debut was just the beginning, for it was during his time at the BayArena that the 2018 Fritz Walter U19s gold medal winner blossomed into one of the most exciting prospects in world football. In total, across four seasons at Leverkusen, Havertz racked up a total of 36 goals in 118 Bundesliga appearances, all before his 21st birthday.
Watch: All of Havertz's goals and assists in 2019/20
Along the way, the now 55-time Germany international became not only the first player in league history to reach 35 goals scored before turning 21, but also the youngest player to ever reach 100 Bundesliga appearances, aged 20 years, six months and four days.
Since moving to England, Havertz has gone on to make 154 Premier League appearances, scoring 41 goals. Additionally, in the Champions League, the German has netted 12 times in 58 career appearances, memorably scoring the only goal in the 2021 final as Chelsea claimed European glory over Manchester City.
However, given that his departure fell during the Covid-19 pandemic, Havertz was denied a proper farewell from BayArena - something which Rolfes hopes to set right.
Now confirmed to be facing his preferred opponent, Leverkusen's sporting director admitted after the ceremony: “I was pleased with the draw.”
Watch: Rolfes reacts to Leverkusen's UCL last-16 draw
“On the one hand we’re coming up against two former players of ours in Kai Havertz and Piero Hincapié, and on the other we’re competing on the international stage. That’s why you want to play in Champions League,” added Rolfes.
As mentioned, Havertz is not the only player to be making their homecoming return to Leverkusen. Ecuador international defender Hincapié, who joined Arsenal in September 2025 on loan with an obligation to buy, will be returning to face the club where he spent four trophy-laden seasons.
After joining in 2021, Hincapié made 166 appearances, notably winning the Bundesliga title, DFB Cup and Franz Beckenbauer Supercup in 2024.
A cornerstone of Leverkusen's historic double-winning side, Hincapié ultimately decided to trade one invincible club for another in the summer. "I will never forget the support of all the staff and fans at Bayer 04, and I wish the club every success for the future," he said at the time.
Of course, those well wishes won't apply to his reunion with Bayer as an Arsenal player. UEFA loan player rules and head coach Mikel Arteta's recent assessment of the defender's qualities suggest he should start against his parent club.
“He's been extremely dominant in all the defensive actions," Arteta said of Hincapie, who's made 25 competitive appearances in Arsenal colours so far this season. “He understands what we want in the attacking part as well much better, all the set-pieces, all the aspects that are relative to the game model that we have.”
Whatever role Havertz and Hincapié have to play, they can expect a warm reception from the home fans when Leverkusen welcome Arsenal to the BayArena for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on 11 March.
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