The Arsenal vs. Bayer Leverkusen, Champions League Round of 16 First Leg, 11 March 2026

As I'm watching the rest of the games today, and reflecting on the games yesterday, I am noticing a trend: with the exception of Chelsea, who lost by 3 regardless, the rest of the English clubs look exhausted compared to the other clubs competing in the Champions League.

As bad as we played, our 1-1 draw away was likely the best result of the first legs for any English team.

After that, Newcastle's draw at home vs. Barcelona, then, Liverpool losing 1-0 at Gala, City losing 3-0 at Real, Chelsea losing 5-2 at PSG, and Spurs losing 5-2 at Atleti.

 

Didn't watch the match but saw the goals, lots of people calling Maduekes penalty soft but considering we have been on the receiving end of those over the years it all evens out, but I'm seeing people say Bayer should have been down to 10 in the first half.

What happened because I haven't seen clips of any incident.

 

Their centerback captain got an early yellow man handling Gyokeres and then a few minutes later shoulder blocked him, knocking Gyokeres quite dramatically on his back.

Easily could have been a 2nd yellow but both incidents were in the first 5 mins of the game, and many feel the ref was being lenient.

 

It was not a penalty and I was surprised it stood after VAR. Gotta call balls and strikes fairly. We didn't do enough clearly. We are the only EPL side that will make it to the semis probably. Newcastle has a shot but doubt they'll get a draw and go to penalties which is the only route I can see them advancing.

And the way we are looking, I'd be surprised if we get pass Barca or Atletico in the semis and I definitely don't see this current form beating Bayern and a puncher's chance vs PSG.

 

Need Saka to show some senior leadership and lead by example as captain while Odegaard is out. He shouldn't be vice captain. Rice should be captain and Gabi vice captain if we could do it all over again.

The good news is City haven't been setting the world afire either. Obviously hoping that form carries into the league cup final. That game is crucial from a motivational point of view not only a trophy.

 

I thought Leverkusen's striker, Kofane's hold up play was very good and he seemed like he was a handful for big Gabi.
He's only 19, and according to the internet less than 25 mil valuation. Worth a punt?

 

Watching the highlights of the other CL games, the difference in attacking speed, confidence and decisiveness relative to ours is frustrating. Is it just down to fatigue? The non-EPL teams, on average, have played about 7 less games than us. Is there something else going on? Despite what Arteta says, I think we all recognize his style is too risk averse. There are plenty of instances where our players make runs or find themselves in central pockets of space only for the player with the ball to ignore them and pass to the next player in the horseshoe of death. Or are these opportunities disregarded because of lack of trust between players?

 

I can't blame Saka too much, while he was on the pitch, Leverkusen were defending him alone with a 4-man diamond. When he came off, they only defended Noni with 2. I think for the return leg, we should push Saka inside, and have Noni and Max split the minutes out wide.

It's also very clear that Leverkusen didn't think we would play the ball behind for Vik.

 

After we were feeding Gyokeres early in the game and nearly got their CB sent off in the first 5 minutes, it's a head scratcher that we didn't continue that. We seemed to stop sending the ball to him in an effort to get that 2nd yellow.

 

Because he has a hard time controlling the ball, that's why.

 

TBH if you want the defender to take a second yellow, that might be better, bait out a risky challenge.

 

I really think we need to make this a permanent priority starting next season.

 

Whatever his ability, it was working early on and then we stopped

 

Oh I agree, but I assume that they just didn't think it was worth the risk of having Neverkusen coming back at them too quickly while perhaps being out of shape OOP

 

We have to just double down on what has worked, unfortunately in Europe, as per last night's highlights the referees are a lot more focused on set pieces shenanigans.

 

Two starters have gone off injured for Leverkusen in their ongoing game against Bayern.

 

I may need to watch the replay of that one. Ended 1-1 with Bayern finishing with 9 men from red cards.

 

Fun game that Leverkusen will be very disheartened not to have won, not least because Malik Tillman put one wide on a breakaway.