Why Bayer Leverkusen will beat Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League last 16

With the first leg at the BayArena ending in a 1-1 draw, Bayer Leverkusen will attempt to reach the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League when they travel to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal on Tuesday (kick-off: 9.00pm CET). Here's why they can be confident of getting the job done.

Follow the seond leg at the Emirates Stadium HERE!

While the Gunners topped the league phase, Leverkusen’s recent good form and strong record against English clubs will give them every chance of progressing.

Kasper Hjulmand’s side may have started 2026 with a wobble, losing each of their first three games, but Die Werkself have improved dramatically since then.

Leverkusen have now lost just one of their past 13 games in all competitions, a run that includes a two-legged play-off against Olympiacos in this competition. The 2023/24 Bundesliga winners also find themselves in the battle for a top-four spot and into the DFB Cup semi-finals, making this clash with Arsenal one of several huge games over the coming weeks.

Leverkusen defeated Olympiacos 2-0 on aggregate in their knockout phase play-off tie. - IMAGO/ONE INCH PRODUCTIONS

A solid defence has been at the heart of their recent upturn in form. Over those aforementioned 13 fixtures, Leverkusen have conceded on just eight occasions, keeping an impressive seven clean sheets.

Edmond Tapsoba is the experienced head, flanking captain Robert Andrich and new arrival Jarell Quansah, who has now fully settled into his surroundings after his summer move from Liverpool. In the Bundesliga, top two Bayern and Borussia Dortmund are the only two teams to ship fewer goals than Leverkusen’s 32.

At the other end of the pitch, Leverkusen may not have been quite as ruthless, but they have talent to call upon. Such are the options at Hjulmand's disposal, he chose not to call on Patrik Schick, who has four strikes in the Champions League this term in the first leg, instead fielding the exciting Christian Kofane. Alejandro Grimaldo, meanwhile, remains as dangerous as ever with 12 strikes, including a continent-leading five direct free-kicks.

In recent weeks, Ibrahim Maza and Malik Tillman have contributed. Although staying solid at the back will be crucial to Leverkusen’s chances, they can call on attacking quality to give them the edge.

Watch: Leverkusen's top 5 goals this season

Arsenal may be top of the Premier League, but Leverkusen will have no qualms about facing English opposition once again. In fact, they have lost only one of their past eight games against the country’s teams, having beaten Manchester City away and drawn with Newcastle United already this campaign prior to the first-leg draw with the Gunners.

Additionally, two-legged knockout ties against English teams have also often gone in Leverkusen’s favour. The German outfit have progressed from four out of a possible five such match-ups, with the only elimination coming against Liverpool in 2004/05. For context, the Reds went on to win the trophy that year. Meanwhile, their upcoming opponents have won only eight of their past 25 meetings with Bundesliga teams.

There is no doubt that Arsenal will provide a big challenge, but that is the nature of the Champions League. Having got this far, Leverkusen have already shown their ability, and there is no reason why their adventure has to stop here.

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