Nine Players Set to Miss Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen as Champions League Tie Hangs in the Balance

Arsenal will aim to maintain their involvement in all four major competitions when they host Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League Round of 16 second leg, with the tie finely poised at 1-1 following last week’s first-leg clash.

Kai Havertz’s equaliser for the Bundesliga side cancelled out Robert Andrich’s second-half opener under controversial circumstances, after a challenge on Noni Madueke was penalised.

Since then, Arsenal have opened up a nine-point lead at the top of the Premier League, which they will retain at least until the international break. Viktor Gyokeres and Max Dowman were on target as Mikel Arteta’s side consolidated their domestic supremacy, but their focus now turns to Europe.

Bayer Leverkusen arrive in North London hoping to pull off a shock and eliminate the Premier League leaders from the competition. The Bundesliga side come off an eventful 0-0 draw with Bayern Munich on Saturday, a match that saw Chelsea loanee Nicolas Jackson and former Liverpool winger Luis Díaz sent off, and three goals, including a 93rd-minute strike from Jonas Hofmann, ruled out by VAR.

Arsenal Injury Concerns

Arsenal, however, are dealing with their own injury challenges. William Saliba sustained a head injury midway through Saturday’s win over Everton but played through to the final whistle.

More significantly, Dutch full-back Jurrien Timber was forced off just before half-time after a collision with Illiman Ndiaye left him with a right ankle knock. Timber is now a doubt for the Leverkusen fixture.

Mikel Merino remains unavailable as he recovers from ankle surgery, while Martin Ødegaard and Leandro Trossard are also doubtful, having missed the Everton game. Ødegaard, who watched from the stands, commented:

“I’m desperate to get back to playing as soon as I can. It’s been difficult with the knee injury lately, but I’m working hard to get back to full fitness. The main thing is to be 100% again and properly help the team.”

Trossard was absent after sustaining an upper leg/hip injury during the FA Cup win over Mansfield Town. Both players continue to be closely monitored by Arteta and his medical staff.

Leverkusen Injury Woes

Bayer Leverkusen also face several injury issues ahead of the trip to the Emirates Stadium. Potential absentees include Eliesse Ben Seghir, goalkeeper Mark Flekken, Loïc Badé, Lucas Vázquez, and Arthur.

Ben Seghir and Flekken have been out for the past 15 matches due to ankle and ligament injuries, respectively. Badé is limited by a hamstring issue, Vázquez is struggling with a calf problem, and Arthur has missed the last four games after a ligament tear against Mainz. Martin Terrier was forced off against Bayern Munich following a challenge from Jackson and remains a fitness concern for the trip to London.

With nine players likely to be unavailable across both squads, Tuesday’s second-leg showdown promises to be a tense encounter, with both sides eager to secure a place in the Champions League quarter-finals.