Arteta Demands Arsenal Improvement After Leverkusen Draw in Champions League
Mikel Arteta has conceded that Arsenal must significantly elevate their performance levels ahead of the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Bayer Leverkusen. The Gunners narrowly escaped Germany with a 1-1 draw on Wednesday, requiring a stoppage-time penalty from former Leverkusen player Kai Havertz to salvage a result.
Late Drama Saves Arsenal After Defensive Lapse
The match, played on March 11, 2026, saw Arsenal, who had topped their Champions League group with a perfect record, struggle for large periods. They fell behind just after half-time when Robert Andrich headed home from a corner, capitalising on a moment of defensive inattention from the visitors.
"I liked that emotionally we understood what we had to do, but the level of execution obviously has to be better," Arteta stated in his post-match analysis. "And it will be better in the second leg. We'll adapt a few things and move on."
Set-Piece Irony and Controversial Equaliser
The goal represented a ironic twist, given Arsenal's own renowned proficiency from set-pieces this season. Leverkusen's social media team had even posted a photo before the match of a sign reading "no corners allowed," which they later updated with "well, this is awkward..." after scoring.
Arsenal's equaliser arrived deep into added time when substitute Noni Madueke was adjudged to have been tripped in the area by Malik Tillman. After a VAR review confirmed the on-field decision, Havertz stepped up to calmly convert the spot-kick against his former club.
"Football is a funny game and it brings special stories," Arteta smiled, reflecting on Havertz's decisive contribution. "Him coming back here after such a long time, being part of this club, to come here and score such an important goal, I think it's a big moment."
Leverkusen Boss Left Frustrated by Late Call
Bayer Leverkusen manager Kasper Hjulmand expressed clear disappointment with the penalty award, feeling his side were hard done by the late decision. "Disappointed with the penalty at the end. I don't see a penalty there but that's the way it went," Hjulmand said.
He added a critique of the officiating process: "I think sometimes the referee shouldn't blow the whistle and then check with VAR. If he whistles and it's not clear and obvious then it stays. But for me, it just wasn't."
Touchline Exchange Highlights Tactical Battle
The match also featured a notable touchline exchange between Hjulmand and Arsenal's celebrated set-piece coach, Nicolas Jover, following Leverkusen's corner-kick goal. "It's not our first goal in that way," Hjulmand remarked afterwards. "He was just looking at me like 'you do it too'."
Despite having hit the crossbar through Gabriel Martinelli in the first half, Arsenal were largely second-best and will need a markedly improved display in the return leg at the Emirates Stadium to progress in the competition.
