Arsenal host Bayer Leverkusen at Emirates Stadium in London on 17 March 2026, with a 1-1 first-leg draw at BayArena leaving this UEFA Champions League 1/8 final finely poised. Arsenal arrive as the competition’s form side: 1st in the overall table with 24 points from 8 games, a perfect W8 record and a +19 goal difference. At home they are flawless (4 wins from 4, 12-3 goals). Leverkusen, ranked 16th on 12 points (W3 D3 L2, goal difference -1), have been more resilient away than at home, taking 7 of their 12 points on the road.
Key Insight
Arsenal’s statistical dominance is stark: they average 2.7 goals per game and concede just 0.6, with no defeats in 9 Champions League fixtures and 5 clean sheets. Leverkusen score 1.5 and concede 1.4 per match, with a notably leaky home record but tighter away defence (4 goals conceded in 5). Head-to-head, Arsenal won 4-1 at Emirates in an August 2024 friendly before the 1-1 in Germany, underlining their home edge. However, the hosts are hit by injuries to M. Merino, M. Odegaard and J. Timber, while Leverkusen miss several squad members including Arthur and L. Bade, with M. Terrier doubtful.
Verdict
Arsenal’s perfect Champions League campaign and formidable home numbers point to a home win and progression from this 1/8 final.
