Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen: Preview, Prediction & Lineups

Arsenal are back in Champions League action as they go to battle with Bayer Leverkusen in the second leg of their round of 16 meeting.

The Gunners overcame a tough test against Everton in their last outing with a late flurry seeing them take a 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium. Viktor Gyökeres opened the scoring from close range before Max Dowman put the seal on victory with a history-making moment in stoppage time.

Leverkusen were held to a 1-1 draw by league leaders Bayern Munich at the weekend. Aleix García put his side ahead in the early stages, but Luis Díaz levelled in the second-half despite the Bavarians being down to 10 following Nicolas Jackson's red card. While the Colombian was later sent off himself, the Bundesliga giants managed to hold on to draw.

Last week's first leg in Germany ended in a 1-1 draw as Kai Havertz dispatched a late penalty to cancel out Robert Andrich's opener right at the start of the second-half. With it all to play for and a place in the quarter-finals of Europe's premier competition at stake, this will certainly be an eventful clash.

Here's our preview of the second leg meeting between Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen.

Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen: Preview, Prediction & Lineups

What time does Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen kick off?

Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen kicks off on Tuesday 17 March at 20:00 GMT.

• When is kick off? Tuesday 17 March, 2026
• What time is kick off? 20:00 GMT
• Where is it played? Emirates Stadium
• Referee: Danny Makkelie

Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen head-to-head record

Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen previous meetings

How to watch Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen

Arsenal team news

Max Dowman stole the headlines against Everton and as a reward for his game-changing performance, he should be involved tomorrow night, but will most likely start the match from the bench.

Jurrien Timber won't be available after being withdrawn with a first-half injury in the win over the Toffees. Ben White was on the bench and could make the start at right back in his place. Captain Martin Ødegaard will also remain absent.

Kai Havertz could continue in the starting lineup, but in a creative role, meaning Viktor Gyökeres will return up front while Eberechi Eze will drop to the bench.

Arteta confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Leandro Trossard is available so he could be brought into the game at some point, but he won't be rushed in for a start.

Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Bayer Leverkusen: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapié; Zubimendi, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Gyökeres, Martinelli

Bayer Leverkusen team news

Aleix Garcia and Martin Terrier were both forced off in the draw with Bayern Munich, with concussion protocols meaning the former could miss the trip to the Emirates while Kasper Hjulmand is confident the latter will recover in time.

Mark Flekken, Loic Bade, Arthur, Lucas Vazquez and Eliesse Ben Seghir remain of action, but Leverkusen will be boosted by Alejandro Grimaldo's return from a domestic ban.

Predicted Bayer Leverkusen lineup vs Arsenal: Blaswich; Andrich, Quansah, Tapsoba; Poku, Fernandez, Palacios, Grimaldo; Maza, Terrier; Kofane

Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen score prediction

As shown in the first leg, Leverkusen are more than capable of causing Arsenal problems and that will likely be the case tomorrow evening.

With a place in the quarter-finals at stake, both sides will be eager to get the better of the other and keep their hopes of lifting Europe's greatest prize alive. However, the Gunners should be the ones to nick it.

Arteta's side should have enough to get over the line on Tuesday and with the loud Emirates crowd behind them, they should be confident in securing their spot in the last eight.

Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen