After the highest of highs at the weekend, Arsenal’s attention must immediately refocus to matters in Europe with another absolutely vital match at The Emirates against Bayer Leverkusen awaiting them this evening. After scraping a 1-1 draw in the first leg, Arsenal know exactly what they need to do – win – and also play a lot better!! The performance against Everton – late drama aside – showed a lot of promise from the Arsenal attack, but they will need to turn that into goals to book their place in the Quarter-Finals.
Leverkusen on the other hand showed that they are not just here for the appearance money as they caused the Arsenal backline issues throughout the first leg, with Christian Kofane in particular impressing throughout.
The challenge is clear, win the game at The Emirates for that Quarter-Final place – no slips up allowed at this stage.
Areas of encouragement
As I mentioned above, the attack did look a lot better, particularly with Kai Havertz starting the game, with improved performances from the likes of Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka. All that was missing was the goals (until the 89th minute) so that gives me hope that they can go one step further this time and put a few goals away.
Areas of concern
I think many Arsenal fans thought we would just turn up and beat the 6th placed German team when we were drawn against Leverkusen but the German side showed what they’re about in the first leg and deserved at least a draw from the first leg. We’ve been in the position before where we’ve taken a side back to The Emirates with confidence brimming that we will blow them away only for that not to be the case – we need to guard against complacency, show respect and earn our place in the next round.
What I’d love to see
So many obvious ones here – a clean sheet? Early goal? A firing attack? I’m going to go for an early goal, as that would really swing the tie in our favour. I think if we start the game like we did against Everton, I think we’ve got a great chance of getting on the scoreboard nice and early, which would change the complexion of the whole game.
What I’d hate to see
A lack of tempo from Arsenal would really play into the hands of the Germans. We need to move the ball quickly, quick throw-ins – tempo, tempo, tempo. Slow passing and decision making will leave us in a really difficult situation.
Lineup and Team News
Jurrien Timber looks set to miss this one so a change is needed at right back however, the rest of the squad seem to be fit and well (touch wood!) at the moment so I don’t think there will be significant changes to the team that started against Everton.
Cristhian Mosquera was brought on to replace Timber in the first half against Everton, when many would have expected Ben White, so that was a bit of a shock. I expect this was to ease White back in gently following his latest injury rather than any change in pecking order so I think, with another week of training under his belt, White starts this one. Despite Riccardo Calafiori’s solid showing against Everton, I expect Piero Hincapie to be brought back in for this one, which is probably a bit harsh on the Italian, but Hincapie is currently first choice as far as I can see, so will start this vital game.
The only other areas that I think are up for debate are the troublesome left wing slot and the two central attacking positions (number 9/10). Kai Havertz will play in one of the two attacking positions, which with then dictate who the other player might be. I expect Havertz to again start up front rather than in the attacking midfield slot, so that will mean Eze keeps his spot and Viktor Gyokeres has to make do with a spot on the bench.
Over onto that left hand side, Noni Madueke didn’t exactly set the world alight last time out so with Leandro Trossard back in full training again, I think the Belgian starts out on the left with Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli kept as options from the bench, should there be needed.
Despite the hysteria around our latest wonderkid off the Hale End block, Max Dowman will not be starting, but he has staked his claim to be one of the first to step off the bench with his game-turning cameo against Everton, should reinforcements be required to get us over the line.
Predicted lineup:
Raya
White
Saliba
Gabriel
Hincapie
Zubimendi
Rice
Eze
Saka
Havertz
Trossard
Substitutes:
Arrizabalaga
Setford
Mosquera
Calafiori
Norgaard
Lewis-Skelly
Gyokeres
Martinelli
Jesus
Dowman
Salmon
PREDICTION
You just never know in the Champions League, but something about the way we beat Everton at the weekend makes me think this team might have turned a corner from an attacking perspective so I’m going to go with a confident 3-0 tonight.