Let’s be honest, after a faultless Champions League qualifying campaign where Arsenal won every match with the minimum of fuss, each and every Arsenal supporter, myself included, fully expected the Gunners to return home to North London from North-Rhine Westphalia with a comfortable win under their belt. But football is never that simple – and that is its overriding attraction even if it also gives us the yips.
Arteta made 10 changes from the FA Cup trip to Mansfield where all our key players had had a nice rest, so therefore it should follow that they’d be refreshed and sharp and ready to turn on the style in the Bayarena.
It seemed so obvious to me. On the bench we had the welcomed return of the sorely missed Ben White, there was also Kai Havertz returning home for the first time since he left Germany and Max Dowman on the cusp of becoming the youngest player in CL history.
The match referee from Turkey was officiating in his first Champions League tie, apparently he’s one of the best referees from Anotolia and from the start he made it clear that he wasn’t going to mess about. With barely 2 minutes gone Gyokeres spun his marker Andrich, the Leverkusen skipper, and was just unceremoniously hauled down, the referee spectacularly flourished the yellow card. I thought to myself that in England Gyokeres probably wouldn’t have even got a free kick let alone the perpetrator getting booked so I was cautiously optimistic. That optimism lasted roughly another two minutes when Gyokeres again beat the lumbering Andrich who then cynically body checked Viktor leaving him flat on the ground. It seemed a worse foul than the first but the referee suddenly became very shy about his cards. That wouldn’t last.
Leverkusen going down to 10 men would have totally changed the game and the end result but that’s the way the cookie crumbles, or as the locals say ‘So zerbrockeit der Keks’. Leverkusen continued to go for it which was very refreshing and encouraged me to think that this was going to be an end-to-end contest. Raya made a couple of saves following Bayer attacks but as the game ticked over the 15 minute mark the Gunners began to dominate and look dangerous.
A flowing move on 19 saw Timber, Eze, Saka and Gyokeres combine to set up Martinelli who looked certain to add to his 6 Champions League goals but his rasping shot hit the crossbar and went to safety. He probably needed to score that goal.
Bayer were very good at stretching the game by using the full width of the pitch, it led to a few counter attacking situations which had Saliba and Gabriel at their limits. A few pulled shirts and a Saliba yeillow card followed, it was worrying. Also I felt that some of the Bayer challenges were borderline yellow cards but the referee didn’t agree. I also thought that several Bayer players hit the floor with very little contact in a very dramatic fashion. We needed a strong, competent referee and I wasn’t overly confident that we had that guy, he was too unpredictable and I worried that we might actually get the red card.
I have no idea when it happened but Bayer seemed to make some tactical changes and fell into a deep block around 25 minutes, leaving their very physical centre forward chasing every lost cause. From then on the snappy passing and smart movement from Arsenal, in particular, just upped and left. The accuracy of pass began to disappear and the game became more sterile as Arsenal probed unsuccessfully on the flanks and nothing of note came through the middle. Whilst Bayer relied on transitions and their big burly striker.
H/T 0-0
Arsenal were mentally it seemed, still in the dressing room when the restart began. Bayer went for it from the kick off and Raya made a great save tipping a header over the bar. From the resulting corner our nemesis Andrich lost his marker and was completely unmarked on the far post as the cross zoomed into the box and as he headed home, the Bayarena went bananas. That was in the 46th minute, from then on Bayer just fell into their low block and Arsenal couldn’t find the answer, it was a frustrating half of football. There were a few more mysterious decisions from the referee and the game became predictable and a little boring.
I’m not sure if he was carrying a knock or had picked one up earlier in the game but I couldn’t remember Saka ever being less effective. Martinelli was running in circles on the other wing and both Zubi and Rice lacked any zip coming through the middle where Eze was fairly inconsequential. Bayer looked comfortable and Arteta needed to do something so on the hour he took Bakayo off and brought on Madueke.
Noni began to run at the Bayer defence and created a few situations but there was precious little movement from his team mates. On 74 minutes Havertz came on for the fading Gyokeres and on 82 minutes Jesus came on for Eze. On 83 minutes Timber got on the end of a cross and maybe should have done better but his attempt cleared the bar.
With the prospect of Arsenal losing for the first time in Europe and only the 4th time this season, Madueke burst into the box on the 86th minute, beat his man who then in turn brought him down following a clumsy challenge. VAR checked it, my son said they’d overturn it but they didn’t and on the 89th minute Kai Havertz confidently punched his shot into the corner of the net.
There was still a little time for Havertz to get booked for doing absolutely nothing except getting fouled himself at a corner which was a bizarre decision but in keeping with the performance from the referee who had also booked Zubimendi for bugger all whilst ignoring him getting clattered earlier. The BBC website said Martinelli was also booked but didn’t mention Saliba so who knows what happened?
On the positive side it was so enjoyable watching a match which didn’t tie your stomach in knots but that will change over the weekend, until then.
Wir marscheren auf.
By Kev
A disappointing result but it turns out to have been the best of the English results and leaves only Liverpool and ourselves as likely to progress to the Qtrs. So to the second leg COYG!!
Not the best performance from them last night but lets hope this was just a “blip”, especially with Saka who to me looked a bit green under the gills. Fingers crossed nothing serious. They must now take advantage of being at home next week.
Not looking good for The Spuds, MC, Chelsea and even Newcastle who will be playing at the Camp Nou. Not going to be “a walk in the park” for them.
Looking like it will be Arsenal and possibly Liverpool going into the next round of the Champs.
This Saturday. More nail biting. Here’s to a win and a good match.
Morning Kev, all.
Good post Kev.
Atletico 5-2 Spurs
Madrid 3-0 Man City
PSG 5-2 Chelsea
Galatasaray 1-0 Liverpool
Yep, 1-1 and we’re still in it. Just need more next Tuesday.
Arteta on if he was disappointed with the way we defended at the corner for Leverkusen’s goal:
“There are always two sides to that – one is the element of the opponent, that they picked that weakness and that lack of attention or urgency in both situations. And the other one is us because we knew, we showed them three clips from last weekend in three different ways and we weren’t ready for it and we got caught.”
Morning Gooners, morning Rico or should I say guten morgen und danke.
As Balkaneer says, the best of the English results, we aren’t the story today much to the chagrin of Sky Sports and Talk Rubbish.
To me both teams looked knackered at times, it seems the relentless of modern day football is having a negative effect. From what I’ve seen up till now Bayern look red hot favourites, I wouldn’t bet on Arsenal getting the better of them as it stands.
We face another strenuous test this weekend when a nicely rested and resolute Everton roll into town, I’d like to see Havertz and Gyokeres starting as a pair in that game.
Did Madueke do enough to start? I think so, Saka is still not totally recovered from his hamstring injury that burst over the first few yards has left his game. Arteta has to look after him.
I actually thought that Eze was fouled as they scored and that the forensic PGMOL might have overturned it . However this is European football where VAR only interferes if it’s clear and obvious and the goal stood . As Kev said the referee was to say the least erratic and some of his decisions were debatable , dubious and a little bit dodgy.
I wonder if the PGMOL are having an affect on our players and not just Arsenals as players expect fouls to be called whereas continental refs see things differently.
None of this excuses our performance which I can only describe as turgid. We lack dynamism we had no thrust in the forward line until Madueke came on and in fact just after 70 minutes the feed I was watching said Arsenal 1 shot on target . Which kind of sums it up.
I said before the match that there were two scenarios and that we either played and won but had the ability to stink the place out, which we did .
We got a draw with a fortunate penalty decision . LUCKY LUCKY ARSENAL.
Kev, I think the European clubs still have a winter break whereas we don’t. If I’m right, it makes a huge difference imo. We seem to be mentally knackered rather than physically. Perhaps it’s because of the stage of the season we’re at and nerves have set in I don’t know but we seem to have lost our grip on the basics.
Good point about the officiating but Arteta and the players should know what Europe is about by now. I still don’t know why Zubimendi got booked and it’s frustrating because cards tot up.
The penalty, terrible decision imo but perhaps there was a bit of levelling up for not sending off the Bayer player early in the game.
Good morning Kev and all.
1) Saka, since his new contract, pay rise, and promotion to captain, there has been a considerable drop in his form, fitness levels, goal attempts and assists. Last night subbed after sixty minutes, and not before time.
2) Game management. Bayer defender booked after two minutes for a foul on Gyokeres, a second offence, again on, Gyokeres brought him a severe warning. We then stopped playing balls up to our striker when we should have taken every chance to get him sent off and, thereby, making him unavailable for the return leg.
3) Eze, as is so often the case he was totally ineffective in his role, hardly able to play a forward pass, just recycling the ball before inevitably losing possession. Subbed after eighty-two minutes for Jesus.
4) Jesus, did he actually touch the ball in play? If so I didn’t notice it.
5) Madueke, showed Saka what he should be doing, getting behind the defenders and attempting crosses and even shots on goal. Deserves an Oscar for “winning” that penalty.
6) Gyokeres, left stranded up front with no service. See 2) above.
7) Havertz, cool as a cucumber with the penalty.
8) Saliba, just a footnote, is he fully fit? Has he lost a bit of the aura surrounding his partnership with Gabriel?
9) Arteta, team selection Eze as apposed to Havertz, my opinion only. Substitutions, Havertz for Gyokeres, Havertz should have replaced Eze so he could team up with Gyokeres and between them terrify the Bayern defenders.
10) In general, Saka, Martinelli, Eze, when he plays, should all be encouraged to carry the ball into the penalty box to cause panic in the defence and, thereby, “win” a few more penalties.
I’m sure the old theatrical expression will be apposite on Tuesday, “It’ll be alright on the night”
I hope!!
Morning Cicero. I too don’t understand taking off Gyokeres for Havertz, the two need to be on the pitch together imo as they click. I get not starting Havertz because of his fitness etc but if he’s coming on, let it be for our benefit not detriment.
Cicero …………………….100%
Great post Cicero, pretty much agree with everything you wrote especially No.9, Havertz and Gyokeres complimented each other brilliantly against Leeds and we’ve not seen it since. Maybe Arteta avoids that decision as he’s desperate to get Odegaard back in the team?
Maybe Calafiori vs Bayer in the 2nd leg could be a way to go with Trossard on the flank?
Does Eze have what it takes in the CL as I’ve not seen him as easily dispossessed this season as he was yesterday?
If Calafiori plays in the second leg and if the ref is as erratic as last night, there’s a chance he’ll be sent off. Imo, he’s as bad as Lewis-Skelly for picking up bookings.
Before we get too involved with the second leg on Tuesday, there is the little matter of the Saturday evening game against Everton.
Who is available, who starts, who gets rested, who gets dropped.
Everton will be tough. Didn’t they beat us at the Emirates last season?
I checked, 0-0.
One of the finest performances I have ever seen on a football pitch was Arsenal 7 Everton 0 back in the 04-05 season. The team were in their pomp. Bergkamp was sublime.
If you haven’t seen the match and have the time:
I have told this story before but I was holidaying in St Lucia at the time. I called home to ask my mum the scoreline as I knew she’d be watching and she said 7-0. I asked her who scored, she replied “everyone” 😂
Didn’t Tony Adams get the seventh goal.
I think his came in a different game.
https://youtu.be/8RUfQDBYBfk?si=uiSWVn2eLFGmV6HU
https://sportsview.co.uk/2026/03/arsenal-add-former-manchester-city-nutritionist-pamela-ibarra-to-their-backroom-staff
As beautiful as St Lucia must be, I wouldn’t have swopped HIghbury for it or anywhere in the world on that particular day. Van Persie, Pires, Viera, Pires, Edu, Bergkamp, Flamini. Seven wonderful goals but it was DB10’s pass for the third which was the highlight of the day. A certain Mikel Arteta was in the Everton midfield.
Big Tone’s goal came in the last minute of the last game of the 97-98 season, a 4-0 win over the same opponents. His celebration provided the inspiration for his statue outside the Em’s.
Can’t open those links here in NZ, Rico.
Ha ha Stuart, if only I’d known before booking.
I’ll remember that and copy and paste the content,,
Diesel up 16p a litre in my usual garage, elsewhere the price is frightening, no doubt the eco-warriors will be happy.
Still at least the days are getting longer and it feels warmer so it’s not all bad.
I checked down the High St yesterday and I couldn’t find any sleeper cells although there’s a few too many barbers springing up.
Thinking about putting an Anderson shelter up in the garden, just in case.
Other than that, good morning Gooners.
Happy days Kev. 😜
Great memories of wins over Everton,I’m sure they will make things difficult and their players should be a lot more rested than ours.
I’d like to see White and Madueke start at least,we’ve often looked tired recently so freshen things up a little.
Maybe surprise Everton by starting Dowman,it feels like sometimes we are predictable.
Happy days indeed Rico. ✌️
It takes a long long time for any manager worth his salt to assemble a squad capable of competing and ultimately winning trophies and we certainly have one of those atm.
Of course not every player is a fans’ favourite, we all have our likes and not so likes, Martinelli is a bit like that, on his good days we all love him but when he isn’t as sharp, he seems to be a bit of a lightning rod and a firm favourite of the ‘upgrade’ brigade – of which I’ve been guilty of.
We have a few players of that category but from what I can see – and of course depending on who you can replace them with – I see only Kiwior, Vieira, Nelson, Kabia, Hein and Jesus as fairly certain of departing the Emirates next summer and even some of those aren’t certain.
Selling players is a definite problem for Arsenal and getting a decent fee certainly is. At the time many, myself included, thought we undervalued the likes of Willock, Nketiah, Balogun, Smith Rowe (I still miss him), Leno, Tavares, Ramsdale, Guendouzi, Torreira and many others when comparing the inflated fees Liverpool, Man City and a few others get. But maybe we paid too much for many of them in the first place and overvalued the others?
I’m not sure that Arsenal are going to do a lot of incoming business this summer, spending sprees seem to come every other year and we maybe need to breathe after last summers jamboree? Knowing how Arteta loves his players I think he’ll be against a big clear-out as it’s taken him so long to assemble them. Therefore the odd ‘take-a-punt’ deal or three is on the cards and even more focus on the academy lads who are showing so much promise?
I noticed Kiwior was an unused substitute for Porto last night,I hope that doesn’t mean they don’t rate him.
Also Nwaneri was an unused substitute for Marseille last weekend,ironically he probably would have played for us against Mansfield and maybe would get some minutes in the Premier league. I hope he comes back for next season.
I think the Kiwior loan deal is an obligation to buy Limey, same as our Hincapie loan.
That’s good news then,I can’t see us getting much (if anything) for the others.
Me neither. I guess that’s why there are already so many rumours about selling our academy players. Pointless though imo as how much would someone much better be?
Kev, we certainly part with money quicker and easier than bringing it in. At least more recently fewer duds are joining the club. Saying that, I’m sure a jury somewhere is out on Madueke and Gyokeres.
RIP Amy Carr… 😢
A jury being out is just a way of life Rico, it ebbs and flows depending on results and performances.
That’s very sad news Rico, at any age, but at 35 it does seem particularly cruel.
It is Kev, some are so extreme though.
Dreadfully sad, brain tumour. Ex Arsenal, Chelsea, Reading and England player…
Very sad news.
Amy Carr … such a tragedy indeed, Rico.
Only The Bard’s “star-crossed” comes close to naming it properly.
RIP, Gooner.
Billy McCullough RiP
A bit before my time but my older mates told me he was as hard as nails and a good player as well.
Way before my time Kev, 90 is a good age.
Just wikipedia’d him up.
Wouldn’t be surprised if we were told he was “ferried over” at the sound of:
Billy McCullough , our Irish International full back that was a cult figure with the Arsenal crowd . He was really admired although was also the target for derision as well .He could be brilliant for 80 minutes and then was prone to the things that made him a fans favourite. You never knew what he would do next . He was big and powerful but also on occasions clumsy. I remember him doing a slide tackle and sliding off of the pitch and getting his foot trapped in the the little picket fence that used to surround the pitch. On another occasion we were being stuffed and an England international winger , I think it was Connolly of Burnley that was skinning him on a regular basis and the crowd was giving him no end of stick .The next time he was passed he made a grab for the winger’s shirt and it ripped and he had about 6 inches of shirt in his hand . He turned to the North Bank and held the bit of shirt up as if to say “I really am trying ” despite the fact that we were getting stuffed the crowd burst out laughing .
The man was a character that I won’t forget. RIP.
Great memories for you.
That’s gone over my head Lg.. 😜
What has Carrikfergus seen with Arsenal?
Van Morrison and The Chieftains support Arsenal? 🙂
Born in Carrickfergus, McCullough first played for Portadown, before being signed in 1958 for £5,000 by London club Arsenal.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_McCullough)
Utter disgrace at MeadowPk. tonight.
Arsenal U21 (1) Leicester U21 (5)
A “malign star” indeed, LG.
Thanks Potter. Those are lovely memories.
Morning Gooners.
I see that 14 year old Luiz Munoz has trained with the 1st team a couple of times recently. Another Max Dowman?
Morning Kev, that’s a new name to me. Good that he’s in and around with the first team. I like that about Arteta, he keeps the younger players involved so when/if their time comes, it’s not so daunting for them.
New post up.