The decisive UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg between Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen is scheduled for Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 20:00 CET (3:00 PM ET). Hosted at the Emirates Stadium in London, England, this tie is finely balanced after a 2-2 first-leg draw in Germany. Arsenal lead on away goals (if the tie remains level), but Leverkusen remain dangerous with their attacking firepower.
Arsenal are in excellent form, unbeaten in their last eight matches across all competitions and sitting top of the 2025-26 Premier League. Coach Mikel Arteta has a near-full squad available, with only minor doubts over Takehiro Tomiyasu (calf) and Kieran Tierney (hamstring). The Gunners will look to exploit their home dominance and set-piece threat to secure progression.
Bayer Leverkusen advanced through the league phase and play-offs with a resilient 2-2 draw in the first leg. Coach Xabi Alonso has no major new injuries, though Florian Wirtz and Victor Boniface are carrying slight knocks from the first leg. The German side will focus on counter-attacks and midfield control to overturn the tie.
Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen Match Preview
At the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal’s home invincibility and attacking depth will be tested by Leverkusen’s tactical discipline and clinical finishing. The tie is wide open after the first-leg draw, with both teams capable of scoring multiple goals.
Expect a high-intensity, end-to-end night where one moment of brilliance could decide who advances to the quarter-finals.
- Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2026
- Kick-off Time: 8:00 PM GMT / 4:00 PM ET
- Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
- Referee: Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)
First Leg Recap
In a cagey first leg at the BayArena on March 11, Leverkusen took the lead shortly after halftime through a header from captain Robert Andrich (46′).
Arsenal struggled to break down a disciplined German defense until the 89th minute, when substitute Noni Madueke won a penalty. Former Leverkusen star Kai Havertz converted the spot-kick to ensure the Gunners returned to London on level terms.
Team News and Analysis
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta’s side has a few significant injury concerns following their weekend win over Everton:
- Out: Jurrien Timber (ankle), Martin Ødegaard (knee), and Mikel Merino (foot).
- Available: Leandro Trossard has returned to the squad but may start on the bench. Noni Madueke is pushing for a start after his game-changing cameo in the first leg.
Bayer Leverkusen
Kasper Hjulmand’s team has been strengthened by the return of a key player.
- Return: Alejandro Grimaldo is back in the starting lineup after missing their weekend match due to suspension.
- Doubtful: Martin Terrier is a doubt following a knock in the Bundesliga, but is expected to travel.
- Out: Mark Flekken, Loic Badé, and Lucas Vázquez remain sidelined.
Head-to-Head Record (Recent)
The first leg ended 2-2 in Leverkusen. Historically, Arsenal have the edge in European meetings, but Leverkusen’s current form makes this very even.
| Date | Competition | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 10, 2026 | UCL R16 1st Leg | Bayer Leverkusen 2-2 Arsenal | BayArena |
Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen Predicted XI Lineups
Arsenal (4-3-3):
Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapié; Ødegaard, Rice, Zubimendi; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli.
Bayer Leverkusen (3-4-2-1):
Hrádecký; Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapié; Frimpong, Xhaka, Palacios, Grimaldo; Wirtz, Hofmann; Boniface.
Key Players
- Arsenal: Bukayo Saka (wing threat) and Declan Rice (midfield anchor).
- Bayer Leverkusen: Florian Wirtz (creative genius) and Victor Boniface (goal threat).
Match Prediction
Arsenal 2-1 Bayer Leverkusen (Arsenal advance 4-3 on aggregate)
Arsenal are favorites at home and are predicted to edge through with a narrow win.
Leverkusen’s counter-attacking threat makes this dangerous, but the Emirates crowd and Arsenal’s current form should prove decisive. Expect over 2.5 goals and both teams to score.
Where to Watch Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen
| Region | TV Channel / Streaming |
| United Kingdom | TNT Sports 1 / Discovery+ |
| United States | Paramount+ / CBS Sports Golazo Live on ESPN and ESPN+ (3:00 PM ET kick-off). |
| Canada | DAZN |
| Global | UEFA.tv or DAZN in select regions |
