LEVERKUSEN, Germany – Kai Havertz returned to haunt his former club, scoring a late penalty to secure a 1-1 draw for Arsenal against Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie on Tuesday. The result, played at the BayArena, keeps the Gunners’ hopes alive for a quarterfinal berth, though they’ll need a strong performance in the return leg at the Emirates Stadium next week.
Robert Andrich had given Leverkusen the lead shortly after halftime, ending Arsenal’s perfect record in this season’s Champions League. Prior to Tuesday, Mikel Arteta’s side had won all eight of their matches in the competition.
The draw represents a potentially crucial result for Arsenal, but it wasn’t without its moments of concern. The Gunners, who made ten changes to the side that defeated Mansfield in the FA Cup, struggled to find their rhythm for much of the match, and were fortunate to escape Germany with a level scoreline.
The match began with Arsenal looking to establish control, and they came close to opening the scoring in the 19th minute. A well-worked move involving Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber, Viktor Gyokeres, and Gabriel Martinelli culminated in Martinelli striking the crossbar. However, Leverkusen proved resilient in defense, and gradually began to assert themselves.
Leverkusen’s pressure paid off just 45 seconds into the second half when Andrich headed home a corner kick from Alex Grimaldo. The goal sparked a period of sustained pressure from the hosts, with Martin Terrier forcing a save from Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya moments before the breakthrough.
Arteta responded by introducing Havertz and Noni Madueke from the bench, and the changes ultimately proved decisive. In the 89th minute, Madueke was brought down in the penalty area by Malik Tillman, leading to a penalty that Havertz calmly converted, sending Janis Blaswich the wrong way.
The penalty decision was met with protests from the Leverkusen players, but the referee stood by his call after a VAR review. Havertz, who spent ten years at Leverkusen before joining Chelsea in 2020, showed no hesitation in stepping up to seize the spot-kick against his former teammates.
“Football is a funny game and it brings special stories and him coming back here after such a long time, being part of this club, to come here and score such an critical goal, I think it’s a big moment,” said Arteta after the match, as reported by ESPN.
The match also saw some contentious moments, with Leverkusen’s Andrich escaping a second yellow card despite a clear foul on Gyokeres earlier in the second half. The decision to allow Andrich to remain on the pitch proved significant, as he went on to score the opening goal.
Arsenal’s task in the return leg will be to build on this result and secure their place in the quarterfinals. They will need to improve their performance and capitalize on their home advantage to overcome a determined Leverkusen side. The second leg is scheduled for Tuesday, March 17th at the Emirates Stadium.
Havertz’s goal not only salvaged a draw for Arsenal but also marked his third goal and second assist in 316 minutes since returning from a knee injury. His performance will undoubtedly boost his confidence and provide a valuable contribution to the team’s Champions League campaign.
The Gunners will be hoping to carry the momentum from Havertz’s late equalizer into their upcoming Premier League fixtures, as they continue to compete on multiple fronts. The Champions League remains a key target for Arsenal, and they will be determined to progress to the quarterfinals for the third consecutive year.
For Leverkusen, the result is a disappointment, but they remain in a strong position to qualify for the next round. They will need to replicate their performance from the first leg and exploit any weaknesses in Arsenal’s defense to secure a positive result at the Emirates Stadium.
The tie remains delicately poised, and the second leg promises to be a thrilling encounter between two of Europe’s top teams. Arsenal will be looking to avenge their recent FA Cup defeat to Manchester City and continue their pursuit of silverware on all fronts.
What’s Next: Arsenal will host Bayer Leverkusen in the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, March 17th. Kick-off is scheduled for 8:00 PM GMT (3:00 PM EST).
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