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Arsenal vs Leverkusen: Team News and Predicted Lineups

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Ricky Carroll | Last updated Mar 17, 2026 11:28 AM ET

Last Word on Football brings you the latest team news and predicted lineups ahead of the Arsenal vs Leverkusen Last-16 second-leg Champions League showdown. Arsenal will be confident about progressing through to the quarter-finals, considering their excellent form in this year’s competition.

Leverkusen will be buoyed by their battling performance in the first leg, and will come to London full of confidence but devoid of pressure. They have plenty of injury problems, but will need to produce a season-best performance to upset the Gunners.

Champions League: Team News and Predicted Lineups for Arsenal vs Leverkusen

Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2026

Venue: The Emirates

Kick-off: 20:00 GMT

Last meeting: Leverkusen 1-1 Arsenal (March 11, 2026).

Referee: Danny Makkelie

Current odds: Arsenal 1/4, Leverkusen 10/1, Draw 5/1.

Arsenal Team News

In the pre-match press conference, Arteta spoke about the vital win over Everton at the weekend, but stressed the importance of looking ahead.

The Arsenal boss also discussed injuries: “Yes, both of them are out,” said Arteta when asked about the availability of Jurrien Timber and Martin Odegaard.

On the availability of Leandro Trossard, Arteta said: “He’s okay, he felt good so he’s available.”

Arteta confirmed there are no other injury concerns.

Leverkusen Team News

After the first leg 1-1 draw with Arsenal in the first leg, Leverkusen drew 1-1 with Bayern Munich. Leverkusen head into the second leg confident they can mix it with the best teams, and manager Kasper Hjulmand believes in his team:

“It’s the third big game in just a few days. We’re ready. The team is raring to go, and I really like that. We’ve come here to win this game,” he said at his pre-match press conference on Monday.

“As a player, you don’t know how many chances you get on this stage. It’s a chance we should take.”

Hjulmand expects a different game away from last week’s first leg, but that doesn’t intimidate him.

“We’re expecting a special atmosphere in the stadium and opponents who will certainly look to start the game in an active, attacking and aggressive manner,” said the Bayer 04 coach.

“But we’re ready for that and have already put in some good performances this season, including in the Champions League.”

Leverkusen continue to have injury worries, with Elisse Ben Seghir, Mark Flekken, Loic Bade, Lucas Vasquez and Arthur among likely absentees.