Champions League Overview

Mikel Arteta expressed his frustration after Arsenal were beaten at their own game during a 1-1 Champions League draw with Bayer Leverkusen. The manager lamented his team's lack of urgency and attention as they conceded from a set-piece, a tactic the Gunners usually dominate. However, a late Kai Havertz penalty ensured the last-16 tie remains finely balanced ahead of the return leg.

Kai Havertz proved to be the protagonist on his emotional return to the BayArena, converting a late, controversial penalty to rescue a 1-1 draw for Arsenal against Bayer Leverkusen. The German international came off the bench to deny his former side a famous victory in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie. While he stepped up to secure the result, Havertz admitted feeling a sense of sorrow for his former teammates after his decisive strike.

Arsenal winger Noni Madueke has revealed that pure instinct guided his crucial penalty-winning run in the Champions League round of 16 first leg. After securing a vital 1-1 draw away at Bayer Leverkusen, the dynamic substitute is deeply confident that a roaring Emirates Stadium crowd will push Mikel Arteta’s squad towards the quarter-finals when the two sides meet again next week.

Bayer Leverkusen managed to surprise Arsenal using the London side's own special weapon, scoring from a corner kick in the match held Wednesday evening. The header prompted Leverkusen manager Kasper Hjulmand to share a notable moment with Arsenal’s set-piece coach as the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 ended in a 1-1 draw at the BayArena.