Arsenal lock horns with Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen as they fight for a place in the UCL quarter-finals.

Bayer Leverkusen have had quite the story this season. From flirting with relegation in the early stages of the season, sacking Eric Ten Hag and almost looking like a doubt to make the knockouts of the UCL, to now facing Arsenal in the round of 16.

Hjulmand has steadied this German ship although they are still a far cry from the team that went invincible a couple of seasons ago. They have a lot of work to do if they want to beat arguably the best team in Europe right now and the only other team ot have gone invincible in the 21st century.

Arsenal come into this tie having avoided the playoffs and sitting atop the Premier League table. With the Premier League title within their grasp and still competing on all fronts, Arteta will be hoping his team can skip past Bayer Leverkusen in this two-legged tie and move one step closer to the UEFA Champions League title.

Back on the European stage. pic.twitter.com/KkSsO3xKWo

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 10, 2026

Team News

Arsenal are expected to be without Trossard and Calafiori, who suffered knocks in their 2-1 win over Mansfield in the FA Cup.

Bayer Leverkusen, on the other hand, are far from tip-top shape for the first leg either, as Mark Flekken (knee), Loic Bade (hamstring), Arthur (ligament), Lucas Vazquez (calf), Eliesse Ben Seghir (calf), Nathan Tella (foot) and Patrik Schick (muscle) are in the infirmary.

Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal Predicted XI

Bayer Leverkusen Predicted XI

Blaswich; Andrich, Quansah, Tapsoba; Poku, Garcia, Fernandez, Grimaldo; Maza, Terrier; Kofane

Arsenal Predicted XI

Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Eze, Martinelli; Gyokeres