Arsenal continue their quest for the quadruple when they travel to Germany to face Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie.
The match is set to kick off on Wednesday, March 11, at 5:45 p.m. GMT (12:45 p.m. ET; 11:15 p.m. IST and 3:45 a.m. AEST, Thursday). It will be broadcast on soccer tv platforms including TNT Sports 3 in the UK, CBS / Paramount+ in the U.S., SonyLIV in India, and Stan Sport in Australia.
Current Situation
Bayer Leverkusen finished 16th in the Champions League league phase table, while Arsenal topped the table, winning all their games and showcasing their strength in the tournament.
Leverkusen has shown resilience, having lost only one of their last 12 games in all competitions. However, they will be without key players such as Mark Flekken, Arthur, Loïc Badé, Nathan Tella, and Eliesse Ben Seghir due to injuries.
In contrast, Arsenal has been prolific, scoring 23 goals in the league phase and conceding only four, making them the best defense in the tournament. They also played a much-changed lineup in their recent FA Cup win over Mansfield Town, indicating their depth and strategy.
Historically, Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen have met twice in the Champions League, with one match resulting in a 1-1 draw in Germany and another seeing Arsenal claim a 4-1 victory at home.
Next Steps
As the match approaches, observers are keen to see how both teams will adapt their strategies. Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta and Leverkusen’s Kasper Hjumand will be looking to secure a favorable outcome in this crucial tie.
Referee Umut Meler from Turkey will oversee the match, with VAR assistance from Rob Dieperink from the Netherlands, ensuring that the game is conducted fairly.
Fans and analysts alike are eager to see if Arsenal can maintain their dominance or if Leverkusen can pull off an upset in front of their home crowd.
