2025-26 UCL Round of 16: First Leg – Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal

Bayer Leverkusen face a tough first leg against Arsenal in their Round of 16 tie in 2025-26 UEFA Champions League. 

Bayer Leverkusen overcame Olympiacos in their Knockout Play-Off tie, whilst Arsenal topped the League Phase to secure their passage to this stage.

 

Team News

Patrik Schick is a doubt for Bayer Leverkusen as he continues to recover from a muscle injury.

Mark Flekken (knee), Loic Bade (hamstring), Arthur (ankle), Eliesse Ben Seghir, Lucas Vazquez (both calf) and Nathan Tella (foot) are ruled out.

Arsenal could welcome William Saliba and Martin Odegaard back from respective ankle and knee injuries, which kept the pair out of the Gunners’ last two matches.

Riccardo Calafiori and Leandro Trossard both face late fitness tests after they suffered knocks in the 2-1 fifth-round victory at Mansfield in the FA Cup.

Ben White (muscle) and Mikel Merino (foot) remain absent.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Bayer Leverkusen host Arsenal at BayArena on Wednesday 11 March at 6:45pm CET (5:45pm UK Time), live on TNT Sports 3 in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Bayer Leverkusen are yet to beat Arsenal in the Champions League (D1, L1).
• Arsenal drew 1-1 in their only previous competitive visit to Bayer Leverkusen in February 2002.
• Bayer Leverkusen have lost just one of their five home matches in this season’s Champions League (W1, D3, L1).
• Arsenal scored 11 goals and conceded one goal in their four away games in the League Phase.

 

Prediction

With just one defeat in their last 13 matches across all competitions, Bayer Leverkusen are a team to not be underestimated especially after they fought back twice to lead Freiburg in Bundesliga last weekend in an eventual 3-3 draw, so I am expecting a strong game from them.

Arsenal meanwhile rested several regulars at Mansfield but the fact that Mikel Arteta had to bring some of them on to just avoid a cupset would of been slightly miffing, but it is a positive that Mansfield challenged them that much because this could well be another tough away test.

Mikel Arteta though will surely be glad to have his regulars back and fresh and if Bayer Leverkusen show the same fight that they did against Freiburg, I think that Arsenal will settle for a draw then finish the job at home next Tuesday.

Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 Arsenal

Result: Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 Arsenal