Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen Predictions

• Leverkusen have won four of their five previous such ties against English teams
• Arsenal are aiming to reach the quarter-finals of the UCL for the third straight year
• The Gunners have lost just one of the last 33 home UEFA competition matches (W16, D5)

Different vibes for continental Gunners

Arsenal are getting their share of stick in the Premier League as they summon the ghosts of George Graham-led teams of the past to seemingly grind their way to the title they crave.

European adventures are proving a different proposition as Mikel Arteta’s side have scored at least three times in six of their last nine home Champions League matches.

They needed an 89th-minute penalty from Kai Havertz to land a 1-1 draw in Leverkusen but Arsenal had an xG figure of 1.64 and should really have been on the scoresheet earlier.

Both teams have scored in four of Leverkusen’s last five games, four of which have ended level. They led 1-0 when Bayern Munich went down to 10 men at the weekend but were pegged back despite the visitors finishing with nine.

Arsenal aren’t under the same shackles in Europe as they are on the home front and can win an entertaining contest.

Martinelli can be the spark

Winger Gabriel Martinelli has scored in Arsenal’s previous four Champions League home matches this season and he could be a key man again.

The Brazilian was benched for the Premier League visit of Everton on Saturday but he came on for the final 30 minutes and teed up teen sensation Max Dowman for the clinching second goal.

He broke the deadlock against Olympiakos earlier in the competition and can continue his UCL love-affair here.

Leverkusen a danger after the break

The visitors will try and frustrate Arsenal. Kasper Hjulmand’s side haven’t conceded from open play in four UCL games. Arsenal’s set-piece prowess will test that run.

If the visiting side do flourish, it could come after half-time. They scored in the 46th minute last week via Robert Andrich and have scored more goals (five) in the 15 minutes after the interval than they have done in all their opening halves combined.