Kai Havertz came off the bench to score a controversial late penalty against his former club Bayer Leverkusen, earning Arsenal a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie. The Germany forward's spot-kick cancelled out Robert Andrich's second-half header, leaving the tie finely poised ahead of next week's return leg in London.
Leverkusen had taken the lead two minutes into the second half when Andrich headed home from a corner, a moment that prompted an awkward response from the club's social media team, who had earlier posted a jokey message saying 'No corners allowed'. Arsenal struggled to break down a well-organised home side until Havertz's intervention late on.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admitted his side were 'caught out' by Leverkusen's goal and acknowledged the need for improvement. 'We had to really dig in, because emotionally it became a very different challenge. The level of execution obviously has to be better. It will be better in the second leg,' he said.
The visitors had a first-half chance when Gabriel Martinelli hit the crossbar, but Leverkusen also threatened through Christian Kofane and Piero Hincapié. Arsenal's defence, with William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães, had an off night, with the latter making several uncharacteristic errors.
Arteta withdrew captain Bukayo Saka for Noni Madueke in an attempt to change the game, and Arsenal eventually earned their first corner on the hour mark. Jurriën Timber headed over from close range with six minutes remaining before Havertz's late equaliser salvaged a draw.
