Arsenal host Bayer Leverkusen at Emirates Stadium in London on 17 March 2026 in a UEFA Champions League 1/8 final second leg. Arsenal arrive as the competition’s standout side: ranked 1st with 24 points, eight wins from eight and a +19 goal difference (23-4). At home they are flawless, winning all four games with 12-3 goals. Leverkusen, ranked 16th on 12 points (3-3-2, goal difference -1), have been far less dominant but more solid away than at home, with a 2-1-1 record and a 5-4 goal balance.
Key Insight
The first leg in Leverkusen finished 1-1, leaving the tie finely poised, but the underlying numbers tilt heavily towards Arsenal. In Champions League play they average 2.7 goals scored and only 0.6 conceded per match, with five clean sheets and no defeats in nine fixtures. Leverkusen score 1.5 and concede 1.4 per game, with a notably fragile home defence but a tighter away back line. Arsenal must cope without M. Merino, M. Odegaard and J. Timber, while Leverkusen miss Arthur, L. Bade, E. Ben Seghir, M. Flekken, Lucas, N. Tella, I. Traore and have M. Terrier doubtful. Arsenal’s main attacking threat is Gabriel Martinelli, who has 6 goals and 1 assist in this campaign.
Verdict
Arsenal’s perfect Champions League record and formidable home form make them clear favourites to win on the night and progress from this 1/8 final.
