Bayer Leverkusen managed to surprise Arsenal using the London side's own special weapon, scoring from a corner kick in the match held Wednesday evening. The header prompted Leverkusen manager Kasper Hjulmand to share a notable moment with Arsenal’s set-piece coach as the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 ended in a 1-1 draw at the BayArena.
Ahead of the Champions League clash against Arsenal, Leverkusen manager Kasper Hjulmand has questioned a highly controversial tactic employed by the London club.
Arsenal have received a significant triple fitness boost ahead of their Champions League round-of-16 first-leg encounter against Bayer Leverkusen. Key defensive and attacking figures were spotted during the club's final training session before they departed for Germany. While Mikel Arteta still faces some notable absences, the return of this influential trio strengthens the Gunners' hand for a crucial European away leg.
Arsenal will be “annoyed” at failing to win the Champions League, GOAL has been told, but that does not mean that the Gunners will “smash up” Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16 of this season’s competition. Former ‘Invincibles’ squad member Jeremie Aliadiere has warned Mikel Arteta’s side against complacency after being handed a supposedly favourable European draw in 2026.
Micah Richards has warned Arsenal that 'you haven't won anything yet' despite their dominant form, though he still considers Mikel Arteta’s side the primary candidates to lift the Champions League trophy. The Gunners are currently chasing silverware on multiple fronts, leading the Premier League while preparing for a definitive European knockout run, but Richards believes a reality check is necessary before the red ribbons are ordered at the Emirates.
Bayern Munich have been dealt a significant blow ahead of the business end of the season with the news that captain Manuel Neuer is set for a spell on the sidelines. The veteran goalkeeper suffered a calf injury during Friday night's 4-1 victory over Borussia Monchengladbach, leaving the Bavarian giants without their undisputed number one for several high-profile encounters.
Liverpool are sensationally considering a massive transfer U-turn that could see Jarell Quansah return to Anfield just one year after his departure, according to reports. The 23-year-old England international made the move to Bayer Leverkusen last summer in a deal worth £35 million, but his meteoric rise in the Bundesliga has forced the Reds' hierarchy to rethink their long-term defensive strategy.
GOAL runs the rule over the British players earning a living away from their homeland, with plenty more stars deciding to leave their comfort zones in search of a better footballing life elsewhere. The Premier League is still obviously one of the world's most entertaining divisions and the Championship can prove fantastic for development, but there are more options out there.
Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes has claimed that Arsenal are "among the top favourites" to win the Champions League after the Bundesliga side were paired with the Premier League leaders in the last-16 stage of the competition.
Arsenal will face Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League last-16, while Liverpool have been paired with Galatasaray. Manchester City must overcome Real Madrid in order to keep their dreams of European glory in 2025-26 alive and Chelsea face a tough test against title holders Paris Saint-Germain. Newcastle are readying themselves for a clash with Barcelona and Tottenham will seek to put their Premier League struggles behind them when locking horns with Atletico Madrid.
Malik Tillman highlighted Arsenal as a Premier League club he would 'love to play for.' The attacking midfielder hailed Mikel Arteta's coaching, and revealed they're one of his favorite teams to watch, and backed himself to 'fit in' with the Spaniard's system. The Bayer Leverkusen star left PSV during last year's summer transfer window after a fine spell in the Eredivisie.
GOAL runs the rule over the British players earning a living away from their homeland, with plenty more stars deciding to leave their comfort zones in search of a better footballing life elsewhere. The Premier League is still obviously one of the world's most entertaining divisions and the Championship can prove fantastic for development, but there are more options out there.
Real Madrid will be reunited with Jose Mourinho’s Benfica in the Champions League knockout play-off round, while title holders Paris Saint-Germain must overcome domestic rivals Monaco in order to reach the last-16 and Newcastle face a tough test against Qarabag. A number of European heavyweights are paying the price for failing to secure a top-eight finish in the league phase.
On the weekend that the Bundesliga returned after its winter hiatus and two of Serie A's top three met in a crucial clash in the fight for the Scudetto, much of Europe was focused on cup competitions of varying degrees of importance. England and France played host to the latest rounds of their domestic tournaments while Spain and Turkey followed France's lead from earlier in the week in crowning their Super Cup champions.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has backed Florian Wirtz to continue finding the back of the net after the midfielder finally scored his first goal for the club in Saturday’s 2-1 Premier League win over Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Germany star ended his painful wait for a maiden goal in red as the Merseysiders moved into the top four with a tight victory at Anfield.
Florian Wirtz would be receiving far more criticism if he was producing his current Liverpool form for Bayern Munich, according to Germany legend Thomas Muller. The Vancouver Whitecaps forward has weighed in on the performances of the Reds midfielder, who turned down interest from two European giants in favour of a big-money move to Anfield in the summer.
Arsenal have identified Real Madrid teenager Victor Valdepenas as a serious long-term target, with plans reportedly forming for a move in 2026 that could test the resolve of the Spanish giants. Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta view the 19-year-old defender as an ideal fit for their evolving squad, with the north London club prepared to play the long game in their pursuit.
.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
Bayer Leverkusen
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
