Arsenal vs Leverkusen: Team News and Predicted Lineups

BayArena will stage the first leg of the Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday, 11 March 2026, with kick-off set for 17:45 GMT, as Bayer Leverkusen welcome an Arsenal side that swept through the group stage with a perfect eight wins from eight. The Premier League leaders are priced at 4/9 to prevail, while the hosts—currently sixth in the Bundesliga after two victories in their last five league fixtures—are available at 11/2; the draw is listed at 7/2.

Leverkusen’s path to the knockout phase was less serene: they finished 16th in the group standings before dispatching Olympiacos 2-0 on aggregate in the play-off round. Kasper Hjulmand, overseeing a squad that has seen 14 new faces arrive from last season’s 25-man roster, must now cope with a spate of injuries. Top scorer Patrick Schick has missed the last two matches with a muscle complaint, first-choice goalkeeper Mark Flekken is sidelined by a knee problem, and Artur, Loic Bade and Lucas Vazquez are also unavailable. Nathan Tella and Eliesse Ben Seghir are nearing fitness but may not be risked.

Speaking on the eve of the contest, Hjulmand struck an optimistic tone: “It’s always about looking at the opportunities for me. Things can happen in football. Arsenal are the clear favourites; they’re at the top of their game and have been building a strong team for years. If we’re sharp, if we play at our best, everyone expresses themselves, and we play with courage – then who knows?”

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, meanwhile, confirmed that captain Martin Odegaard is out, while Riccardo Calafiori and Leandro Trossard could return. Gabriel, William Saliba, Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi have been passed fit. Arteta emphasised the need to recalibrate for knockout football: “You start the second part of the campaign and you know what is at stake. We start to play games where you are in or you are out, there is no margin for manoeuvre.”

Turkish referee Umut Meler will take charge of the first meeting between the clubs since Arsenal’s 4-1 victory on 27 February 2002, also in the Champions League.

Predicted lineups

Leverkusen (probable): Blaswich; Quansah, Tapsoba, Grimaldo, García; Terrier, Kofane, Palacios, Andrich; Maza, Culbreath.

Arsenal (probable): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Eze, Martinelli; Gyokeres.