Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen LIVE!
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 as Ben White starts.
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 vs Bayer Leverkusen latest news
- Late Raya save prevents nervy finish
- NO GOAL! Havertz effort disallowed for handball
- GOAL! Rice stunner doubles Arsenal advantage
- GOAL! Eze rocket breaks Blaswich resistance
- Winners to face Sporting after remarkable comeback
Arsenal 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen (3-1 agg)
21:49 , George Flood90 mins: Gyokeres looks disappointed to be going off as his number goes up.
Lewis-Skelly is coming on.
Four minutes will be added as Arsenal earn another corner, Norgaard’s header at the back post beaten away by Blaswich.
Arsenal 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen (3-1 agg)
21:48 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Matt Verri at the Emirates Stadium
Big, big save from Raya.
Kofane looked set to make this a very nervy final few minutes for Arsenal, but the Spaniard steps up when needed.
Big hug from Gabriel as the following corner then comes to nothing.
Arsenal 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen (3-1 agg)
21:46 , George Flood87 mins: Brilliant save from Raya!
He’s at full stretch to tip Kofane’s first-time finish past the post after the Cameroon forward was teed up nicely by Culbreath.
Leverkusen’s best move of the night by far.
That would have led to a nervy finish.
Arsenal 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen (3-1 agg)
21:43 , George Flood85 mins: And that from Kofane was never troubling Raya.
A poor low shot is dragged well wide of the far post.
Arsenal 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen (3-1 agg)
21:42 , George Flood82 mins: Fernandez replaces captain Andrich for Leverkusen, for whom time is very quickly running out.
They have managed just one attempt on target all night, despite some positive spells.
Arsenal 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen (3-1 agg)
21:39 , George Flood80 mins: Into the final 10 minutes at the Emirates, where Arsenal are pushing for a third goal to properly kill off this tie.
Leverkusen are still carrying a threat, but aren’t testing Raya.
Tillman looks their best hope.
Arsenal 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen (3-1 agg)
21:36 , George Flood76 mins: Blaswich now with a save to deny Saka.
Leverkusen had flicked a header wide at the other end, after a corner had also bounced dangerously wide off the knee of Saliba.
Raya was in no man’s land.
Arsenal 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen (3-1 agg)
21:31 , George Flood70 mins: Arsenal have the ball in the net again after Saka knocks down Gyokeres’ cross and it’s bundled in by Havertz.
But that was clearly off his hand and he was also pulling the defender’s shirt.
It’s rightly ruled out after a VAR check.
Schick has replaced Palacios in an attacking change by Leverkusen.
Arsenal 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen (3-1 agg)
21:29 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Matt Verri at the Emirates Stadium
Don't see Arteta usually chuck on four subs at once like that.
Definitely done with one eye on the cup final this weekend, but the strength in depth Arsenal have means you wouldn't say the side is particularly weakened by Havertz, Mosquera, Martinelli and Norgaard coming on.
Arsenal 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen (3-1 agg)
21:29 , George Flood69 mins: Arteta evidently feels the job is done here as he makes four changes in one go, with one eye firmly fixed on Sunday’s Carabao Cup final.
Mosquera, Norgaard, Martinelli and Havertz replace White, Zubimendi, Trossard and Eze, who had been receiving treatment on his ankle.
No risks taken.
Arsenal 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen (3-1 agg)
21:27 , George Flood67 mins: Eze has been sublime tonight and executes another stunning turn and run through the Leverkusen half, eventually seeing a shot blocked by Quansah.
Saka was the better option again there.
Arsenal 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen (3-1 agg)
21:26 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Matt Verri at the Emirates Stadium
If ever a goal summed a player up. First to the loose ball, too powerful to be stopped as he drives forward, and then the quality to find the bottom corner. Massive moment from Rice.
GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen | Declan Rice 63'
21:23 , George Flood63 mins: Arsenal have that all-important second goal!
It’s another belter, Rice curling into the bottom corner after being first to a Leverkusen clearance and then taking a couple of touches before bending home.
Two stunning goals for Arsenal should have them safely into the Champions League quarter-finals.
Arsenal 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen (2-1 agg)
21:21 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Matt Verri at the Emirates Stadium
Gyokeres has put in a massive shift tonight. Tireless running and it means he looks fairly exhausted getting at Andrich there.
Swings a left foot at the strike and it's deflected just wide.
Arsenal need a second goal to kill this, Leverkusen have offered much more in attack since half-time.
Arsenal 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen (2-1 agg)
21:20 , George Flood62 mins: Vital defending from Quansah denies Hincapie a tap-in after good work from Gyokeres, who now sees a strike deflect wide off Andrich.
Should he have played in Saka there?
Martinelli is about to come on for Arsenal.
Arsenal 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen (2-1 agg)
21:19 , George Flood59 mins: Here come those Leverkusen substitutions after Kofane is penalised for a foul on Saliba as he looked to connect with another dangerous cross into the box.
Tillman and Culbreath are on for Terrier and Poku.
Arsenal 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen (2-1 agg)
21:17 , George Flood56 mins: Leverkusen can’t pick out Kofane with a searching cross.
Quansah threatening out wide.
They are far from out of this tie and are preparing a couple of changes.
Arsenal are taking their foot off the accelerator a bit at the moment.
Arsenal 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen (2-1 agg)
21:14 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Matt Verri at the Emirates Stadium
Eze picking up from where he left off before half-time. Lovely flick round the corner to combine with Gyokeres.
With Odegaard nearing a return from injury, and Havertz among those waiting on the bench, this has been a big performance.
And particularly so with a cup final just five days away.
Arsenal 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen (2-1 agg)
21:11 , George Flood52 mins: Fluid football again from Arsenal, who look so much better in attack tonight.
Eze’s smart flick releases Gyokeres, whose low drive is held by Blaswich.
Saka also looking lively again.
Arsenal 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen (2-1 agg)
21:08 , George Flood49 mins: Palacios receives the first yellow card of the night for a foul on Eze.
Trossard now fizzes a brilliant strike narrowly wide of the far post.
Arsenal 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen (2-1 agg)
21:05 , George FloodBack underway at the Emirates, no changes.
For all their chances and euphoria about that Eze strike, Arteta will be demanding that his side kill off this tie quickly here.
Despite the dominance, they are just one goal ahead - on the night and in the tie.
Arsenal 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen (2-1 agg)
20:58 , George FloodNot a bad way to score your first Champions League goal...
Eze with a rocket to fire Arsenal into the lead at the Emirates 🚀🔥
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 17, 2026
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/Ze8euGBuDg
Arsenal 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen (2-1 agg)
20:56 , George FloodThe reaction of Eze’s team-mates to that stunning strike said it all!
Saliba couldn’t believe it...
Arsenal 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen (2-1 agg)
20:54 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Matt Verri at the Emirates Stadium
Really good half for Arsenal, as fluid and exciting as they've looked in attack in recent weeks.
Saka a constant threat on the right, Rice and Zubimendi bossing the midfield, and Eze doing what Eze does in the spring months.
Arsenal 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen (2-1 agg)
20:49 , George FloodHalf-time
Arsenal ahead on the night and in the tie thanks to Eze’s remarkable goal.
They have had a hatful of chances, with Janis Blaswich in inspired form in the Leverkusen goal.
The quarter-finals look to be beckoning.
Arsenal 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen (2-1 agg)
20:48 , George Flood46 mins: Raya backpedals to make sure that a Leverkusen cross from the right ends up safely on the roof of his net.
That should do it for the first half.
Arsenal 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen (2-1 agg)
20:46 , George Flood43 mins: End-to-end stuff now as the interval approaches.
Arsenal couldn’t make the most of a free-kick from a dangerous position and Leverkusen have tried to respond to that Eze wondergoal.
Just the one minute of added time is coming.
Arsenal 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen (2-1 agg)
20:43 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Matt Verri at the Emirates Stadium
WOW. It was going to take something special to beat Blaswich and that is special.
Can't strike a ball cleaner than that. Magic moment from Eze to put Arsenal in front.
Arsenal 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen (2-1 agg)
20:43 , George Flood39 mins: Arsenal are almost in again through Trossard as they look to put this tie to bed after that Eze stunner.
These are crucial moments for Leverkusen you feel.
They absolutely cannot afford to concede again before half-time.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen | Eberechi Eze 36'
20:39 , George Flood36 mins: An absolutely sensational strike from Eze breaks the deadlock as Blaswich is finally beaten!
He takes it on the turn and then rockets a fearsome half-volley into the back of the net from outside the box.
Wow. What a goal.
Arsenal 0-0 Bayer Leverkusen (1-1 agg)
20:36 , George Flood32 mins: At least three cracking saves there from Blaswich in quick succession as he continues to bravely defy Arsenal in this first half.
Leverkusen break to earn a corner at the other end and Tapsoba’s header is easily held by Raya.
Was Raya out of his box there as he rolled the ball out?!
Looked like it.
Sporting have beaten Bodo/Glimt 5-0 on the night in Lisbon, 5-3 on aggregate.
They will face the winners of this game in the quarter-finals.
Arsenal 0-0 Bayer Leverkusen (1-1 agg)
20:34 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Matt Verri at the Emirates Stadium
Massive ovation for Dowman as he trots along the touchline to warm up for the first time tonight.
Will Arteta turn to the 16-year-old once again later in the match? Wouldn't back against it.
This has been a ridiculous performance from Blaswich so far.
Keeping Arsenal at bay pretty much by himself. The Gunners really should be in front by now but Leverkusen are hanging on... just.
Arsenal 0-0 Bayer Leverkusen (1-1 agg)
20:31 , George Flood30 mins: Zubimendi has a free header from Arsenal’s latest corner and a powerful effort is then blocked inside the Leverkusen box.
The Arsenal opener feels like just a matter of time here.
Arsenal 0-0 Bayer Leverkusen (1-1 agg)
20:30 , George Flood29 mins: What a save from Blaswich!
He manages to divert Trossard’s low drive wide with his leg after Saka had kept the Arsenal attack alive.
Arsenal 0-0 Bayer Leverkusen (1-1 agg)
20:29 , George Flood27 mins: A horrible mix-up from Leverkusen and Saka is in, his drive to the front post is parried wide by Blaswich.
Arsenal 0-0 Bayer Leverkusen (1-1 agg)
20:28 , George Flood25 mins: Terrier feeds Grimaldo after a swift Leverkusen counter-attack, but the Spaniard takes a touch instead of letting fly and Hincapie gets back across to make a crucial challenge.
Andrich gets his head to the subsequent corner but it’s wide before Raya touches the ball.
Arsenal 0-0 Bayer Leverkusen (1-1 agg)
20:25 , George Flood24 mins: More Arsenal pressure as White’s excellent delivery is headed straight at Blaswich by Saka.
Kofane is now down for Leverkusen after taking an elbow to the ribs from Hincapie during an aerial tussle.
Arsenal 0-0 Bayer Leverkusen (1-1 agg)
20:24 , George Flood22 mins: Arsenal look to have another corner after brief appeals for a penalty against ex-Liverpool defender Quansah for handball.
It’s a free-kick instead and Rice’s whipped effort is punched away by Blaswich.
Leverkusen can’t escape at the moment.
Arsenal 0-0 Bayer Leverkusen (1-1 agg)
20:23 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Matt Verri at the Emirates Stadium
That's twice Gabriel has been picked out from corners and both times you'd have backed him to score.
Unable to hit the target on either occasion. All the momentum with Arsenal, though.
Does feel like this is building to something.
Arsenal 0-0 Bayer Leverkusen (1-1 agg)
20:23 , George Flood19 mins: Lovely ball from Rice to Eze and Hincapie’s cross towards Gyokeres is turned behind by Grimaldo.
Great football. A fourth Arsenal corner from the right from Saka is headed over by Gabriel.
That was a real chance. Poku cannot contain him.
Arsenal 0-0 Bayer Leverkusen
20:21 , George Flood17 mins: A final pass from Rice is overhit and gratefully gathered by Blaswich.
Now White and Saka link up nicely again, but Eze can’t find the space to shoot and Saka is also crowded out before Leverkusen earn a pressure-relieving free-kick on the edge of their own box.
Plenty of blue shirts back behind the ball and denying space.
Arsenal 0-0 Bayer Leverkusen
20:19 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Matt Verri at the Emirates Stadium
There is that combination between White and Saka.
The ball is fizzed into the winger, and it's good to see Saka getting into central areas rather than staying on the touchline.
All of Arsenal's threat is coming down the right so far.
Arsenal 0-0 Bayer Leverkusen
20:17 , George Flood15 mins: Arsenal are turning up the heat now as White and Saka combine.
Eze can’t sort his feet out for a shot and Trossard flicks into space before trying to pick out the top corner.
Blaswich shovels behind and a dangerous Saka corner is then repelled.
Arsenal 0-0 Bayer Leverkusen
20:16 , George Flood14 mins: Not the liveliest start to this second-leg decider, with possession now pretty evenly split.
But Palacios miscontrols from a throw-in and Eze feeds Trossard, who pulls a low shot well wide.
Arsenal 0-0 Bayer Leverkusen
20:13 , George Flood11 mins: Palacios with a long-range drive for Leverkusen that is easily blocked.
Arsenal now break through Zubimendi, who releases Gyokeres.
Arsenal wind up with another corner, delivered from the left by Rice. Kofane heads away.
Eze’s lofted ball into the box is too high for Gabriel and sails behind for a goal kick.
Arsenal 0-0 Bayer Leverkusen
20:10 , George Flood8 mins: Arsenal earn their first corner of the night as Saka tries to go past Grimaldo, who wanted a goal kick.
Saka’s near-post delivery goes well wide off the shoulder of an unmarked Gabriel.
Arsenal 0-0 Bayer Leverkusen
20:08 , George Flood6 mins: Arsenal are totally controlling possession now but a couple of early entries into the Leverkusen area have yielded nothing.
Captain Saka involved plenty early on down that right flank.
Arsenal 0-0 Bayer Leverkusen
20:06 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Matt Verri at the Emirates Stadium
It's been a decent start from Gyokeres. He's used his strength well to bundle through a couple of challenges.
He bullied Andrich early on last week and then faded badly - needs a more complete performance tonight.
Arsenal 0-0 Bayer Leverkusen
20:04 , George Flood2 mins: A good start from Leverkusen as Palacios’ dangerous early cross in towards Kofane is headed behind by Saliba.
Arsenal deal with the resulting corner.
Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen
20:03 , George FloodUnderway at the Emirates!
Will Arsenal book their place in the Champions League quarter-finals?
Dutchman Danny Makkelie is tonight’s referee, with Dennis Higler leading the VAR team.
Teams are out
19:58 , George FloodAfter some pre-match fireworks, the teams are out at the Emirates.
Time for that iconic Champions League anthem.
Leverkusen are in blue tonight, by the way.
Busy touchline at the Emirates
19:54 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Matt Verri at the Emirates Stadium
Martin Keown and Freddie Ljungberg among those working here tonight, Per Mertesacker is suited up pitchside speaking to one TV channel too, alongside Mats Hummels.
And now Arsenal have brought Alexandre Lacazette out for a chat ahead of kick-off. Very busy touchline.
Kick-off approaching
19:53 , George FloodFinal preparations at the Emirates!
We should be in for a great atmosphere tonight.
It’s now 4-0 to Sporting in Lisbon, by the way.
What a comeback.
Arsenal prepared for penalties
19:40 , George FloodMikel Arteta was also asked about preparing for the possibility of penalties tonight...
“We always do, since pre-season,” he said.
Arsenal fans will certainly hope that is not necessary.
Arteta delivers pre-match thoughts
19:33 , George FloodMikel Arteta has been asked by TNT Sports ahead of kick-off about his decision to start Ben White and Leandro Trossard this evening.
“Yes, we picked a team that is the right one to start and it's a long game,” he said.
“We have the possibility with the finishers to bring them on as well at any time, so let's kick in.
“A big desire obviously [in the team].
“These are the nights that you want to play and you have to put absolutely everything into every action from the first moment to create that belief, that conviction with the crowd and everything to end the right to go through.
“These are the moments and in the competition with the margin that we always have, you have to make something special out of it and that comes down to elevating the individual performance.
“[Leverkusen are] a very well-organised team and I would say they have a lot of strength to be in the position that they are right now, and we have as well, so we're going to have to make that a balance.”
Sporting erase 3-0 deficit against Bodo/Glimt
19:27 , George FloodArsenal supporters will also be very interested in the early kick-off in Portugal, where Sporting have erased their 3-0 first-leg deficit against Bodo/Glimt thanks to goals from Goncalo Inacio, Pedro Goncalves and Luis Suarez (not that one).
Less than 10 minutes to play, extra time could beckon at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
The winner of that tie of course will play the winner of Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen in the quarter-finals.
Arsenal fans thrilled with White and Saka reunion
19:23 , George FloodSo many Arsenal fans on social media are predicting that Ben White’s return will bring the best out of Bukayo Saka tonight...
Saka x White linkup back just in time… Perfect boost ahead of the final. Big moment for him to step up and own it 💪🔴⚪
— Wilson (@BidderCh) March 17, 2026
White and Saka set to rekindle Arsenal partnership
19:13 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Matt Verri at the Emirates Stadium
Four changes for Arsenal tonight and one of those is White coming in at right-back.
Arteta has regularly spoken about how important White is but it's more than a month since he last played.
Gets his chance here and you'd think Saka will be pleased with that.
They've had such a good partnership over the last few seasons.
Bayer Leverkusen unchanged from first-leg draw
19:09 , George FloodKasper Hjulmand also makes four changes to the Bayer Leverkusen team held to a 1-1 draw by nine-man Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
Exequiel Palacios, Alejandro Grimaldo, Ibrahim Maza and Christian Kofane replace Montrell Culbreath, Equi Fernandez, Malik Tillman and Patrik Schick.
Martin Terrier and Aleix Garcia both shake off knocks to start.
It’s the same team as the first leg.
Bayer Leverkusen lineup
19:01 , George FloodBayer Leverkusen XI: Blaswich, Quansah, Andrich, Tapsoba, Poku, Palacios, Aleix Garcia, Grimaldo, Terrier, Maza, Kofane
Subs: Omlin, Lomb, Fernandez, Hofmann, Tillman, Schick, Oermann, Tape, Culbreath
Four Arsenal changes as Ben White starts
18:59 , George FloodSo Mikel Arteta makes four changes to the Arsenal side that started against Everton.
Ben White is preferred to Cristhian Mosquera at right-back in Jurrien Timber’s absence, with Bayer Leverkusen loanee Piero Hincapie replacing Riccardo Calafiori at left-back.
Leandro Trossard is fit to start after his knock, with Noni Madueke dropping to the bench.
Viktor Gyokeres replaces Kai Havertz up front.
It’s two changes from the first leg, with White and Trossard in for Timber and Gabriel Martinelli.
Max Dowman is on the bench.
Arsenal lineup
18:47 , George FloodArsenal XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Rice, Zubimendi, Eze, Saka, Trossard, Gyokeres
Subs: Kepa, Ranson, Mosquera, Jesus, Martinelli, Norgaard, Madueke, Havertz, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman
Lineups on the way
18:44 , George FloodThe official teamsheets are about to drop at the Emirates.
Stay tuned...
Arteta's plan to stop fatigue derailing Arsenal quadruple dream
18:37 , George FloodUntil Arsenal struck late to snatch all three points against Everton, the most entertaining action in the second half came primarily on the touchline, writes Matt Verri.
This was Mikel Arteta at his most animated, winding back the clock to the final months of the 2022-23 season when the pressure of a title race was all new to him and his players.
The Spaniard has been battle-hardened since then, this now his fourth title run-in, and the emotion this time felt more calculated.
The cue came with about 10 minutes to go against Everton, when Arteta took off his coat and marched back to his seat.
From that point on, the Spaniard was at boiling point.
Arteta: Phenomenal Dowman 'inspiring' Arsenal in trophy hunt
18:31 , George FloodMikel Arteta and Riccardo Calafiori were both effusive in their praise of Max Dowman as they addressed the media yesterday ahead of tonight’s Champions League showdown.
"The first time that you see him on the pitch, you're quite curious about him. He's so young but at the same time so mature on the pitch," Calafiori said.
"He can improve so many things but he's a talent, as you can see. But at the same time we have to leave him quiet and don't speak about him too much because he has everything.
"For sure we try to give him some advice but for the moment he's doing well even without our advice."
Arteta said: “It's very inspiring when you see someone, almost naive, making decisions and flowing and careless playing in that manner, in that context. It's great,
"And I think probably our players realised as well. It's a good example, playing with that flow and enthusiasm is actually very beneficial for the team.
"I didn't expect that kind of goal, that's for sure, but his attitude and his decision making, yes. If not, I wouldn't have made the decision to play him.
"But then to be that precise and deliver the moment that he delivered, that's something difficult to imagine.
"I think they have to cook at the optimal speed in relation to what they need and what they demand.
"He is knocking on the door at 16, saying 'I am good enough and I can impact this team whenever it is needed'. And he is doing it when he is playing.
"We just need to bring the temperature down and understand what is the best thing for this boy at his age.
"He's doing something phenomenal. We all know that. Let's keep it down a little bit and respect his nature to do what he has to do, which I'm sure is going to be something really good."
Dazzling Dowman 'ready' for regular Arsenal role
18:20 , George FloodHow big a part will Max Dowman play for Arsenal tonight?
He was an unused substitute in Leverkusen last week after making more history in the FA Cup fifth-round win at Mansfield, but came off the bench to play a part in Viktor Gyokeres’ crucial late goal against Everton before netting himself in stoppage time - becoming the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history aged 16 years and 73 days.
Arsenal fans understandably want to see plenty more of the teenage prodigy as they compete for four major trophies during a hectic season finale, though the likes of Wayne Rooney have warned this week that Dowman’s education will likely come first as he prepares to sit his GCSEs.
Asked yesterday if Dowman - already the youngest player ever to feature in the Champions League - was ready to play regularly after recovering from an ankle injury, Mikel Arteta said: “Yeah regularly. Depending on what you call regularly.
"Depending on the game and how he reacts - I think his reaction has been really positive and in relation to what we need in the game.
"To do what he did in such a moment, it's very rare to see, or impossible almost.
“He's done it and now it's football and what you've done a few days ago is not relevant any more, it's about the next one."
Will Odegaard and Timber be fit for Carabao Cup final?
18:11 , George FloodHere’s how Mikel Arteta responded at yesterday’s pre-Leverkusen press conference when asked if Martin Odegaard and Jurrien Timber could yet be fit to face Manchester City in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final at Wembley.
"We are really pushing him [Odegaard]," Arteta said.
"He really wants to try to be available but we'll have to wait and see how he feels over the next few days when he trains with the team.
"We know the game that we're going to be playing in a few days again and the more players that we have the better.
"We don't know [on Timber]. I think with him it will be a matter of days, but we're not sure."
Odegaard writes in his programme notes tonight: “I’m working hard to be back as soon as I can and I’m feeling stronger all the time.”
Arteta facing Arsenal selection dilemmas
18:01 , George FloodIt will be intriguing to see how Mikel Arteta approaches his Arsenal team selection tonight, particularly with the Carabao Cup final to come on Sunday.
No Jurrien Timber means it will be either Cristhian Mosquera or Ben White at right-back, with the former having been preferred off the bench against Everton.
Will the more attacking Riccardo Calafiori keep his place at left-back over Leverkusen loanee Piero Hincapie?
It seems likely that Kai Havertz will make way for Viktor Gyokeres up top, but will it be Eberechi Eze still at No10 with no Martin Odegaard once more?
And how big a role will Max Dowman play after his dazzling return from injury?
Decisions, decisions.
Here’s how Standard Sport’s Arsenal correspondent Matt Verri thinks Arsenal will line up this evening, with Mosquera, the fit-again Leandro Trossard and Gyokeres replacing Timber, Noni Madueke and Havertz.
Predicted Arsenal XI (4-2-3-1): Raya; Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Eze, Trossard; Gyokeres
Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen prediction
17:51 , George FloodBayer Leverkusen had their chance to take a lead to north London, but had it snatched from them at the death last week with a stoppage-time penalty.
They will have their work cut out to overcome the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium, especially after the 2-0 win over Everton, which will have the Premier League leaders in good spirits.
Arsenal to win, 3-0.
Bayer Leverkusen team news
17:46 , George FloodBayer Leverkusen have a rather lengthy injury list and are likely to remain without all of Mark Flekken, Loic Bade, Lucas Vazquez and Arthur tonight.
Martin Terrier and Aleix Garcia are expected to shrug off knocks suffered in Saturday’s incident-packed 1-1 home Bundesliga draw with Bayern Munich, in which they had three goals disallowed by VAR and saw their visitors finish the game with nine men.
Eliesse Ben Seghir is back in training and Alejandro Grimaldo comes back into contention amid a domestic suspension.
Arsenal team news
17:39 , George FloodArsenal 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.
How to watch Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen
17:33 , George FloodTV 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
17:29 , George FloodGood 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.
