Champions League Player Ratings | Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 Arsenal — Robert Andrich and Kai Havertz push the tie for a second-leg decider | OneFootball

Goals from Robert Andrich and Kai Havertz ensure a close draw as Bayer Leverkusen and Arsenal are set for a decider in England. 

The first half was a largely quiet affair as the two sides jostled for possession, but Leverkusen would find themselves satisfied with their performance before the break. The hosts took the Gunners head on, and kept them out of scoring positions for the best part of the half.

Mikel Arteta’s men came close to netting an opener when Gabriel Martinelli’s left-footed shot rattled the post as he failed to put the cherry on top of a brilliant Arsenal move in the 19th minute. 

Arteta’s first-half frustration was doubled just moments into the second half when Die Werkself led the match thanks to an Andrich header from Alejandro Grimaldo’s inswing ball into the box from a corner. Leverkusen had chances in the match later to add a second to cushion their lead, but they failed to do so. Such an approach ultimately made Kasper Hjulmand’s men concede a debatable penalty kick late in the match as they saw former home favourite Havertz converting from the spot. 

Hjulmand’s troops almost tasted victory from a tough contest against one of Europe’s finest this season, and if they keep building on the plenty of positives from this outing, a quarter-final qualification is still on the cards. As Christian Kofane said before the match, they just need to be “brave”. 

The 1-1 stalemate saw Arsenal leave Germany with parity, as Leverkusen now have to work through a hostile Emirates Stadium in the second leg of the Round of 16 to progress. 

Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 Arsenal | Player Ratings

Bayer Leverkusen:

Blaswich (6), Tapsoba (6), Quansah (6), Andrich (8), Grimaldo (8), García (7), Palacios (7), Poku (5), Terrier (6), Maza (6), Kofane (6). 

Others: Tillman (5), Fernández (-), Hofmann (-) 

Arsenal:

Raya (6), Hincapié (6), Gabriel (7), Saliba (6), Timber (6), Rice (6), Zubimendi (6), Martinelli (7), Eze (6), Saka (5), Gyökeres (5). 

Others: Madueke (7), Havertz (7), Jesus (-)

GGFN Man of the Match: Robert Andrich (8)

While both sets of fans expected him to leave the pitch after receiving an early yellow card, and then body-checking Viktor Gyökeres within minutes of being cautioned, captain Andrich delivered when it mattered the most for his team. He made two vital interceptions (via FotMob) and scored the lone goal for Leverkusen in a match where most thought they would be routed by an in-form Arsenal side. 

GGFN | Trambak Bhattacherjee