Arsenal travel to Bayer Leverkusen to start the knockout rounds proper of the Champions League. The German side downed Olympiacos 2-0 on aggregate in the playoff round after finishing a middling 3-3-2 in the League Phase, with 13 scored and 14 conceded. That record was good enough for 16th place in the table, well behind Arsenal in first. But those records don’t matter now. It’s all about the next two matches between the clubs, and anything can happen in knockout football.
Leverkusen sit 6th in the
Bundesliga, in the thick of the race for the final two Champions League places. Second place, where they finished last season, is likely out of reach, as is first. They’re 11 and 22 points adrift from the top. But Kasper Hjulmand’s side are just 3 points back of 4th/5th and 5 points out of 3rd.
They’ve been tough in Europe, though. They haven’t conceded at home in five hours of play and have only lost 2 of their last 19 European matches at home, albeit that home record accumulated of four seasons includes two Europa League campaigns. Two years ago, they lost 3-0 to Atalanta in the Europa League final. Last season, they were bounced in the Round of 16 by Bayern Munich (5-0 aggregate).
Die Schwarzroten have a solid mix of young and veteran talent. Their top two scorers domestically are Patrik Schick (30 y/o, 7g) and Alex Grimaldo (30 y/o, 6g). Their second two, however, are 22-year old Ernest Poku and 19-year old Christian Kofane, both on 5 goals. The two vets are tied for Leverkusen’s Champions League scoring lead, too (4). You’ll recognize former Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah. American Malik Tillman (who has two CL goals to his name this season) often comes off the bench.
Former Brentford keeper Mark Flekken is Leverkusen’s number one, but he’s been out since mid-January with a knee injury. The Dutch keeper recently returned to training and might be available for the return leg next week. The hosts wil be without wingers Eliesse Ben Seghir and Nathan Tella, centerback Loic Bade, and right back Lucas Vazquez. Patrik Schick is nursing a muscular problem but fit enough for the bench.
Arsenal’s injury news is pretty good. William Saliba, who turned his ankle against Chelsea, is back in training and should be available for selection. Riccardo Calafiori and Leandro Trossard, both of whom left the FA Cup match at the weekend with minor issues, trained as well. Ben White is a surprise inclusion on the teamsheet following his layoff. Martin Ødegaard is still out — the Norwegian national team manager suggested he’d be out until around the end of March. Mikel Merino is likely out for the season.
Leverkusen – Blaswich, Quansah, Andrich, Terrier, Tapsoba, Poku, Grimaldo, Garcia, Palacios, Maza, Kofane
Arsenal – Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Rice, Eze, Saka, Martinelli, Gyokeres
WHO: Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen
WHAT: Champions League Ro16, 1st leg
WHERE: BayArena, Leverkusen
WHEN: Wednesday, March 11th | 10:45 am PT | 1:45 pm ET | 5:45 pm GMT
HOW TO WATCH: Streaming on Paramount+
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