Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal: Champions League Preview & Prediction- 3/11/2026
Updated July 9, 2026
Arsenal travel to the BayArena on March 11 as the clear favorites in this UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg. The Gunners have been in outstanding form across all competitions, and the numbers behind their Champions League campaign this season make for genuinely impressive reading. Leverkusen meanwhile have been unconvincing in Europe this season, edging past Olympiakos in the previous round and struggling against high-quality opposition in all competitions this season. All indiccators point to an Arsenal victory, but stranger things have happened than Leverkusen claiming victory at home.
Arsenal Moneyline at -175
Confidence: 4 out of 5
Arsenal completed the Champions League league phase with a perfect record, winning all 8 of their matches. They have scored 23 goals in the competition while conceding just 4, with a 3-1 win over Bayern an undoubted highlight. Arsenal have also won their last 4 away UCL matches.
In the Premier League, Arsenal have overcome a blip in early February to get back on track in the title race. They beat Spurs 4-1 away, followed that up with a 2-1 home win over Chelsea, and then took all 3 points at Brighton with a 1-0 victory. Their away form stands at 3 wins and 2 draws from their last 5 road league games, with both teams scoring in 4 of those outings. Mikel Arteta's side are scoring freely and carrying a genuine threat both from open play and from set pieces.
The Gunners do have some injury concerns heading into this game, however. Mikel Merino has had foot surgery and will be a long-term absentee. Riccardo Calafiori picked up a hamstring strain against Mansfield at the weekend, while William Saliba and Martin Odegaard are also question marks. Declan Rice, David Raya and Martin Zubimendi should all return after being rested in the FA Cup.
Leverkusen, by contrast, have been inconsistent. Their last 5 Bundesliga results include 2 wins, 2 draws and a loss. The most recent outing saw them draw 3-3 away at Freiburg, a result that highlights an ongoing defensive vulnerability. In the knockout play-offs they eliminated Olympiakos, but they failed to score in the home leg and only got through thanks to a 2-0 away win. In their last 5 home UCL matches, Leverkusen have 1 win, 3 draws and 1 loss. That is not a record that inspires confidence against an Arsenal side clicking at this level.
Leverkusen are also without Patrick Schick through injury, which hurts their attacking threat significantly. Goalkeeper Mark Flekken is also sidelined, leaving Janis Blaswich to start between the posts. Alejandro Grimaldo remains their most dangerous player going forward and will keep Jurrien Timber occupied down the Leverkusen left flank. Ibrahim Maza and Martin Terrier are expected to support the attack, but the absence of Schick blunts their cutting edge in the final third.
Arsenal are better organized, better coached and carry far greater firepower right now. Leverkusen can cause problems in the early stages while the BayArena crowd is loud, but over 90 minutes it is very difficult to see how a depleted home side keeps this Arsenal attack quiet. The Gunners have shown all season that they are capable of winning away from home in Europe without conceding, and Leverkusen's defensive record gives them every reason to attack with confidence from the opening whistle. Expect Arsenal to take control in the second half and seal a first-leg advantage that sets up the tie nicely ahead of the return at the Emirates.
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