Clash of Invincibles - Arsenal continue their brilliant season in Leverkusen
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Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 11.03.26. | 13:15
Mikel Arteta’s team travels to Germany for the first leg of the Champions League round of 16, yet another competition in which Arsenal are favorites
Two Invincibles of the 21st century go head-to-head in the Champions League round of 16, as Bayer Leverkusen host Arsenal at the BayArena for Wednesday’s first leg.
The reigning Bundesliga champions from the 2023–24 season had to come through a playoff tie with Olympiacos to reach this stage, while the Gunners cruised through the league phase in near-perfect fashion.
Under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal produced a flawless run of eight consecutive victories, finishing top of the 36-team standings with the best attack (23 goals) and the strongest defense (just four conceded). Their dominant campaign included statement wins over Atletico Madrid, old rivals Bayern Munich and last season’s runners-up Inter Milan.
The knockout draw has also worked in Arsenal’s favor, as they cannot face heavyweights like Real Madrid, Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern or Manchester City until the final.
That has only fueled the growing belief that 2026 could finally be the year the club lifts the Champions League trophy. Still chasing an unprecedented quadruple, Arteta’s side continues to face criticism over alleged time-wasting, so-called “dark arts,” and their heavy reliance on set pieces. Yet as long as victories keep coming, the debate hardly matters.
Arsenal head to Germany after winning four straight matches in all competitions. Over the weekend, a rotated lineup edged Mansfield Town 2–1 in the FA Cup, marking the eighth time in their last 11 away games that the Gunners have scored at least twice.
Leverkusen, meanwhile, finished only 16th in the league phase but took control of their playoff tie with a 2–0 away victory in the first leg against Olympiacos. A goalless draw at home was enough to secure their place in the last 16.
That stalemate, however, is part of a less convincing run for the hosts, who have managed just one win in their last five matches across all competitions. Their most recent Bundesliga outing ended in a dramatic 3–3 draw with SC Freiburg.
Home form offers more encouragement for the German side. At the BayArena, they are unbeaten in six matches over the past two months and have conceded only once during that stretch.
Arsenal rested several key players against Mansfield, including David Raya, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Gabriel Magalhaes, all of whom are expected to return to the squad. William Saliba, Riccardo Calafiori and Leandro Trossard have also resumed training, though Martin Odegaard, Ben White and Mikel Merino remain sidelined.
Leverkusen are dealing with their own injury concerns ahead of the first leg, with Mark Flekken, Loic Bade, Arthur, Lucas Vazquez, Eliesse Ben Seghir and Nathan Tella all unavailable. Patrik Schick is close to recovering from a muscular issue and could make the squad, but the attack is likely to be led by promising Cameroonian teenager Christian Kofane.
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - ROUND OF 16
Tuesday
Galatasaray - Liverpool 1-0 (1-0)
/Lemina 7/
Atalanta - Bayern Munich 1-6 (0-3)
/Pasalic 90+3 - Stanisic 12, Olise 22, 64, Gnabry 25, Jackson 52, Musiala 67/
Atletico Madrid - Tottenham 5-2 (4-1)
/Llorente 6, Griezmann 14, Alvarez 15, 55, Le Normand 22 - Porro 26, Solanke 76/
Newcastle - Barcelona 1-1 (0-0)
/Barnes 86 - Yamal 90+6 pen/
Wednesday
20.45: (5.65) Leverkusen (4.30) Arsenal (1.62)
23.00: (2.60) Bodo (3.80) Sporting (2.65)
23.00: (2.00) PSG (3.60) Chelsea (4.00)
23.00: (3.50) Real Madrid (3.90) Man.City (2.05)
***odds are subject to change***