After the defeat inflicted by Bayern Munich on Atalanta (6-1), Europe was waiting to see the other big favorite for final victory, Arsenal, in action. Reverted to the most affordable part of the table, the Gunners returned to the Champions League with this round of 16 first leg against Bayer Leverkusen. Undisputed leaders of the league phase, Mikel Arteta’s men face an opponent who finished 15th in the standings. Undefeated since their defeat against Manchester United on January 25, the Londoners were logically announced favorites against the Germans whose most notable performances this season in C1 were the humiliation suffered at home against PSG (2-7) and a victory on the field of a revamped Manchester City (2-0).
Given easy winners on paper, the Gunners immediately got their foot on the ball and after less than two minutes of play, Andrich was booked, before offering the Gunners a first opportunity from a free kick. An opportunity that Saka did not take advantage of. And after the Englishman’s attempt, the London players forcefully demanded a corner, as if they were demanding a penalty (3rd). Enough to make their detractors smile. Arsenal then went for a game of attrition, maintaining control of the leather without creating any real action in front of the German goal, apart from the enormous opportunity from Martinelli, whose shot crashed onto the Blaswich crossbar (19th). Opposite, Bayer Leverkusen recited their score with diligence. There was always a foot to counter the Gunners’ rare combinations on the edge of their area.
Arsenal are doing very well
The German club even managed to get the ball out cleanly and proceeded logically to try to surprise their opponents. Maza (16th, 45th) and Kofane (7th) had some interesting situations, but the frame was rarely found. Which did not prevent Terrier’s partners from gaining confidence and enjoying several minutes of territorial domination. Kofane even caused some problems for the Saliba-Gabriel duo, whose gross mistakes were often excused by the referee. At half-time, Bayer Leverkusen could be proud of their copy, while Arsenal only appeared dangerous once and did not obtain any corners, their specialty to shine. It’s also a story of a corner kick which will be one of the turning points of the match.
From the start of the second period, Maza, Kofane and Grimaldo offered us a choice sequence to find Terrier whose header was pushed away by Raya. Ironically, destiny wanted Andrich to open the scoring from the corner conceded by the Spanish goalkeeper. The sprinkler watered. Without imagination, the Gunners had a few set pieces to get back into the score. In vain. And in the game, the Premier League leader has never been able to destabilize the opposing block. It took a penalty generously offered by the referee of the match on a non-existent foul by Tillman on Madueke to allow Havertz to equalize (1-1, 88th). Arsenal managed to save the furniture and will have to show a completely different face in a week to avoid major disappointment.
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