Arsenal eye quarter-final spot as Leverkusen arrive for Emirates showdown

Arsenal return to Champions League action on Tuesday night when they host Bayer Leverkusen at the Emirates Stadium in the decisive second leg of their round-of-16 tie.

Mikel Arteta’s side enter the match knowing that victory would secure a place in the quarter-finals after last week’s draw in Germany.

The first leg at the BayArena finished 1-1 after a late equaliser from Kai Havertz rescued Arsenal from defeat.

Leverkusen had taken the lead through Robert Andrich, who scored with a header from a corner early in the second half.

Arsenal struggled to find their attacking rhythm for long spells in that match.

However, Arteta’s substitutions late in the game helped change the momentum.

Noni Madueke won the penalty that Havertz calmly converted to bring the Gunners level.

The result leaves the tie finely balanced heading into the return leg in north London.

Arsenal will now attempt to take advantage of their strong home record in European competition.

The Gunners have lost only one of their last 22 UEFA matches at the Emirates Stadium.

That defeat came against Paris Saint-Germain during last season’s semi-finals.

Confidence will also be boosted by Arsenal’s latest domestic result.

The Premier League leaders secured a 2-0 victory over Everton at the weekend.

Late goals from Viktor Gyokeres and teenage substitute Max Dowman sealed the win.

Dowman’s strike also made the 16-year-old the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history.

That victory extended Arsenal’s strong run of form and kept their momentum intact heading into the European clash.

Arteta’s team remain firmly focused on competing for multiple trophies this season.

Maintaining that ambition means Arsenal must approach the Leverkusen match with full intensity.

The German side have already demonstrated their ability to frustrate elite opponents.

Leverkusen followed the first leg with another impressive performance at the weekend.

They held Bayern Munich to a 1-1 draw in the Bundesliga despite facing significant pressure.

That result continued a run of draws that has become a pattern for the German side.

Five of Leverkusen’s last six matches in all competitions have ended level.

Despite those stalemates, the team coached by Kasper Hjulmand have lost only one of their last 14 games.

Their defensive organisation and discipline will therefore present another challenge for Arsenal.

Leverkusen also arrive with experience of winning in England earlier this season.

However, Arsenal remain unbeaten against the German club in Champions League competition.

With qualification for the quarter-finals at stake, Arteta will demand one of his side’s strongest performances of the campaign.

For Arsenal, the objective is clear.

A victory at the Emirates would keep their European hopes alive and move them one step closer to competing for another major trophy this season.

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