Leverkusen 1-1 Arsenal, UEFA Champions League 2025-26: Havertz Haunts Former Club To Save Gunners' Blushes

Bayer Leverkusen and Arsenal shared the spoils during a tense first leg of the UEFA Champions League 2025-26 Round of 16 at the BayArena on Wednesday. After a goalless first half, the hosts broke through in the 46th minute when Robert Andrich headed home from a corner, punishing Arsenal's poor marking. Arsenal, who won all eight matches in the league phase, struggled to break down Leverkusen's defence. Noni Madueke was lively after coming on, and the winger won a penalty in the dying minutes when he was fouled in the box by Malik Tillman. Former Leverkusen star Kai Havertz stepped up and calmly converted the penalty, ensuring Arsenal left Germany with a draw for the second leg next week.

Updated on: 12 March 2026 11:24 am

Published at: 12 March 2026 11:24 am

Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal Champions League soccer-Gabriel

Arsenal's Gabriel celebrates the first goal of his team during the Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and Arsenal FC in Leverkusen, Germany. | Photo: AP/Martin Meissner

1/9

Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal Champions League soccer-

Arsenal players go to their team's fans after the Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and Arsenal FC in Leverkusen, Germany. | Photo: AP/Martin Meissner

2/9

Arsenal players applaud their team's fans after the Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and Arsenal FC in Leverkusen, Germany. | Photo: AP/Martin Meissner

3/9

Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal Champions League soccer-Kai Havertz

Arsenal's Kai Havertz, center, celebrates reserved beside Arsenal's Declan Rice, right, and Arsenal's Martin Zubimendi, left, after scoring a penalty against his former club during the Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and Arsenal FC in Leverkusen, Germany. | Photo: AP/Martin Meissner

4/9

Arsenal's Kai Havertz scores a penalty, his side's first goal, during the Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and Arsenal FC in Leverkusen, Germany. | Photo: AP/Martin Meissner

5/9

Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal Champions League soccer-Umut Meler

Turkish referee Umut Meler awards a penalty to Arsenal during the Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and Arsenal FC in Leverkusen, Germany. | Photo: AP/Martin Meissner

6/9

Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal Champions League soccer-Noni Madueke

Arsenal's Noni Madueke controls the ball during the Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and Arsenal FC in Leverkusen, Germany. | Photo: AP/Martin Meissner

7/9

Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal Champions League soccer-Martin Zubimendi

Turkish referee Umut Meler, left, shows the yellow card to Arsenal's Martin Zubimendi during the Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and Arsenal FC in Leverkusen, Germany. | Photo: AP/Martin Meissner

8/9

Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal Champions League soccer-Gabriel Jesus

Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus, left, heads the ball as Leverkusen's goalkeeper Janis Blaswich, right, makes a save during the Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and Arsenal FC in Leverkusen, Germany. | Photo: AP/Martin Meissner

9/9

Arsenal's Gabriel, right, holds Leverkusen's Christian Kofane during the Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and Arsenal FC in Leverkusen, Germany. | Photo: AP/Martin Meissner