The Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal clash in the first leg of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League Round of 16 should be highly entertaining as the two sides look to gain a major advantage when they clash at the BayArena on Wednesday evening.
Bayern Leverkusen vs Arsenal should be an interesting battle of styles between the Bundesliga side and the Premier League leaders, who had a perfect league stage of the Champions League and look to keep their winning run going. As Bayer Leverkusen fight to deal Arsenal their first loss in the 2025/26 Champions League, the Gunners aim to maintain their positive form and put up a clinical display in what should be a really eventful clash.
Match Details
BayArena
Leverkusen, Germany
Wednesday, March 10
18:45 GMT
Inconsistent Bayer Leverkusen Look To Pop Surprise Against High-Flying Arsenal in Champions League Clash
The Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal clash should make for an entertaining display for the fans because of how eager both sets of players will be to get a big win for their side. Bayer Leverkusen are heading into this match with just one win in their last five matches, and they need to significantly improve themselves to be able to hold their own against the Gunners.
Bayer Leverkusen will need to be clever with their attacking force and clinical in finishing off chances to put Arsenal under pressure and get a big win over them. Arsenal, who are sitting on top of the 2025/26 Premier League table, are looking for another efficient away display where they frustrate their opponents by keeping a sturdy defensive shape and also convert their chances in a smart manner.
There have only been two Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal matches in the past, with the Gunners winning their most recent clash and the Bundesliga side will have to come up with something special to end their winless run against the Premier League side.
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CanTricky Alejandro Grimaldo Turn on the Pressure on Arsenal?
Unfortunately, for Bayer Leverkusen, there is a major injury crisis that means many of their key players will not be able to play in this upcoming match. However, their wily wing-back, Alejandro Grimaldo, is definitely ready to play, and he might have some added responsibilities on himself for this tough upcoming match against Arsenal.
Grimaldo has managed six goals and five assists in the Bundesliga in the 2025/26 season for Bayer Leverkusen, but he needs to be his aggressive best against the Gunners. He will look to make darting forward runs and be precise with his crossing, as well as clinical with his excellent free-kick taking qualities to take the fight to the Arsenal players, and Grimaldo also must be at his defensive best to stop Bukayo Saka & co.
Viktor Gyokeres Determined To Get Back Amongst Goals for Arsenal
Viktor Gyokeres continues to experience a topsy-turvy debut season at Arsenal, and he is without a goal since his heroics in the North London derby win over Tottenham Hotspur in late February.
The Swedish forward has scored four goals in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League, but he is determined to add more to his tally in the upcoming Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal clash.
Gyokeres can be a real handful for the Bundesliga side’s defenders because of his physical attributes and ability to drag defenders out of spaces. He’ll look to be smart with his off-the-ball runs to get into more goal-scoring areas and actually finish off the chances in a prolific manner to help Arsenal get a big advantage before the return leg at the Emirates Stadium.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal Injuries
Bayer Leverkusen Injuries: Arthur, Loic Bade, Nathan Tella, Mark Flekken, Eliesse Seghir, Patrik Schick (doubt)
Arsenal Injuries: Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino, Ben White (doubt), Riccardo Calafiori (doubt)
Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal Predicted Lineups
Here are our Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal predicted lineups.
Bayer Leverkusen Predicted XI: Janis Blaswich (GK), Jarrel Quansah, Robert Andrich, Edmond Tapsoba, Ernest Poku, Ezequiel Fernandez, Aleix Garcia, Alex Grimaldo, Martin Terrier, Malik Tillman, Christian Kofane
Arsenal Predicted XI: David Raya (GK), Jurrien Timber, Cristhian Mosquera, Gabriel Magalhaes, Piero Hincapie, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Viktor Gyokeres
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Vitalii Kliuiev
Recording Date: 10.03.2026
