Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 Arsenal: The German side looked set to go into the second leg with a narrow lead, but Kai Havertz’s second-half penalty forced them level in the Champions League.
Kai Havertz scored a late equalizer for Arsenal, returning to his Bayer Leverkusen habit (Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
Bayer Leverkusen ended Arsenal’s perfect Champions League run and the Premier League leaders now need to overturn their first-leg deficit against Germany.
The English side had won all eight games to reach the finals as top seeds, but a shrewd reality check was provided as Leverkusen secured a 1-0 victory thanks to a second-half Robert Andrich header.
This means Mikel Arteta’s side need to beat the Germans at the Emirates next week if they want to justify their name as Champions League favorites.
Arsenal had their chances, albeit limited, and Gabriel Martinelli came closest to taking the lead when he retained possession after some intricate play from Victor Gokeres and Ebelesi Eze. The Brazilian advanced into the yard himself and his shot beat the goalkeeper but missed the crossbar.
Arsenal may be lamenting the fact that the man who scored their first goal was still on the pitch. Andrich was promised three minutes, but that didn’t stop him from colliding with Gökeres shortly after. It turned out that the referee did not show a red card and his suspension was decisive.
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Leverkusen proved they could play against Arsenal in the first 45 minutes without properly testing David Raya. That all changed in the second half. Seconds before taking the lead, Martin Telia went high with a header and forced a fine save from the Spaniard, but the respite was short-lived as Andrich headed home from the resulting corner kick.
However, Havertz came on from the bench and when Arsenal were given a chance to save the game, he scored from 12 yards out, making him a sure favorite to progress to the next round. Here are five talking points from Germany.
The Bayer Leverkusen captain scored the first goal of the match with a free header.
Main character Kai
It was written in the stars, wasn’t it? The German playmaker spent his career at Leverkusen, where he was well-liked before deciding to move to Chelsea a few years ago. His ten years at the club left its mark, and when he was introduced from the bench there were cheers rather than jeers from the home supporters.
So when Arsenal were awarded a penalty with minutes remaining, it seemed appropriate for Havertz to step up. He calmly took the spot-kick and inevitably celebrations were kept to a minimum. It could also be key next week as Leverkusen no longer have a defensive lead.
cornered
Leverkusen had posted on social media in advance about the corner ban on Wednesday, as Arsenal’s excellence at set-pieces is well known across continental Europe. They must be glad they didn’t fail.
Andrich took the lead with a header at the back post. The captain was left unmarked as the Gunners finished the game in their own half. They have done well with a variety of structures and movement from set pieces, but when Leverkusen played in their own half, they had no answers.
Gabriel Martinelli fired a shot over the bar in the first half.
The “easy side” of the lottery
Some have already written Arsenal’s name in at least the semi-finals of this year’s tournament, while others have gone a step further and named them finalists. There is no doubt that they have fended off many of the traditional European powerhouses such as Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
Leverkusen could be followed by Bodo/Glimt or Sporting Lisbon. The German side proved they are not a walkover, even if they don’t have the quality they once had. Bodo/Glimt were no strangers to upsetting the European pecking order this season. Arteta remains cautious when it comes to his team’s ambitions, and he is right to do so.
Saka’s new reality
Once upon a time, when Arsenal were chasing the game, it would have been unthinkable for them to choose to snag Bukayo Saka with 30 minutes left in the game. It’s a brave new world for this Gunners squad, who now have the depth in class to afford to take away the England winger.
Saka started as captain, but could not avoid an early red card. Not only was Saka never left out, his performance deserved to be in the entire match, such was his impact. Saka’s contribution in the final third has dipped this season, although this has been quietly said given his bank credentials. Arsenal’s quality means he is no longer a guaranteed player and needs to get back into form as soon as possible.
Jarrell Quansah benefits from move to Germany
Quansah shows Reds what they’re missing
Jarrell Quansah opted to leave Liverpool in the summer for a £35m move to Leverkusen as both clubs continued to trade players. The England Under-21 star has been getting more and more first-team appearances in Germany, which he is, but even if they let him go too soon, he should already be in the Anfield pecking order.
Liverpool will be scouring the market for a new centre-half this summer, with several players potentially on the move. Quansah, on the other hand, moved forward impressively, moving up the pitch in the back three with great ease. Consistent playing time has always been essential to his development, and his regular outings seem to be paying off.
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