On Wednesday, Bayer Leverkusen and Arsenal played to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Champions League round‑of‑ sixteen tie. Early in the second half, Robert Andrich gave the hosts a 1‑0 advantage, only for Kai Havertz to level the score from the penalty spot just before the final whistle.
The match began as a tightly contested, tactical affair, with both teams staying defensively solid and creating few decisive chances. Arsenal’s best opportunity in the first half came from Gabriel Martinelli, whose powerful burst struck the crossbar. Almost immediately after the break, Leverkusen capitalised on a corner from Alex Grimaldo, with Andrich heading the ball home from close range for a 46th‑minute goal. From then on, the German side defended with concentration, largely stifling Arsenal’s attacking for the remainder of the half.
Arsenal increased pressure in the second half but managed only occasional cracks in the hosts’ compact backline. It was not until the final moments that the game broke open: Noni Madueke drove into the box and was tackled by Malik Tillman, forcing a foul. Havertz calmly converted the resulting penalty to 1‑1 in the 89th minute.
Arsenal earned one more corner in stoppage time, but Leverkusen held on for a 1‑1 draw. With the away leg in London still undecided, the tie remains wide open.
