- Arsenal have won four of their last five competitive matches, including a 1-0 win at Brighton and a 4-1 North London derby victory over Tottenham at the weekend.
- Bayer Leverkusen are 6th in the Bundesliga on around 39 points, just outside the automatic Champions League qualification places in Germany.
- Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, and Patrik Schick are the talismans for each respective team ahead of Wednesday’s clash.
Arsenal will be tested by Leverkusen’s pace
The most recent competitive meeting between these two clubs came in the 2001/02 UEFA Champions League, but they will renew their rivalry in Europe for the first time in almost 24 years in the UEFA Champions League 2025-2026 Round of 16.
The Gunners have the overall head-to-head advantage after a win and a draw in that campaign, outscoring Leverkusen 5 - 2 on aggregate, although the last time they met was in a pre-season friendly in August 2024 when Arsenal won 4 - 1.
Mikel Arteta has transformed Arsenal into a structured, possession-first 4-3-3 side that can morph from 4-3-3 to 4-1-4-1 to 4-4-2, depending on the moment in the game.
The Arsenal manager has masterfully managed a large squad to balance four competitions, getting the best out of every player, while always prioritising the most important tactical details for each game. Declan Rice sits at the base of the midfield as the tempo controller and a true leader of the back four, while Bukayo Saka provides the greatest individual threat, again, as he did in the 1-0 win over Brighton.
Leverkusen’s counter-attacking style can be lethal
A 1-1 draw or a narrow Arsenal win seem equally likely outcomes for Wednesday’s first-leg matchup given the recent form of both clubs and their tactical setups. Leverkusen have been inconsistent recently, beating St. Pauli 4-0, losing at Union Berlin, and then drawing 1-1 at home to Mainz in their last three Bundesliga fixtures.
Kasper Hjulmand has done a decent job with the German club since taking over in September 2025, instilling structure in defence, while also allowing his team to be creative with the ball and creating width with his wing-backs.
Álex Grimaldo and Aleix García are the playmakers in this side, with the former’s deliveries and García’s vision from midfield often leading to transitions that allow Leverkusen to be lethal.
Edmond Tapsoba is also a key figure, providing the aerial threat on corners and free-kicks, and is a key man defensively. Patrik Schick leads the line and comes off a one-goal performance against St. Pauli.
Arsenal’s defence can keep it tight
William Saliba’s fitness is a major storyline in this first leg, and if Arsenal can’t get the defender fit, Leverkusen will have a much better chance to cause problems at the back.
Arsenal have kept multiple clean sheets this season and showed their ability to grind it out even when they weren’t at their best against Brighton.
Leverkusen’s defence has also been compact and we’re expecting a cagey first-leg at BayArena, so the Under 2.5 goals line looks worth a punt at even money.
The bookies have priced Arsenal as the outright favourites here at 1.53 with Leverkusen 5.9 and the draw at 4.1, which is about right given the form and squad depth of each club in the 2025/26 season.
It will be a chess match of sorts with Arsenal trying to control the tempo and reduce Leverkusen’s transition chances, while the home side will look to get forward and cause problems if Saliba doesn’t play.
