‘Very unlike us’ – Arteta on draw with Leverkusen, Noni Madueke’s impact and Trossard’s injury | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta hailed the impact of Noni Madueke as Arsenal came from behind to draw with Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.

Robert Andrich’s header at the start of the first half had put Leverkusen in front in the Champions League round of 16 first leg.

But Madueke came off the bench to win a late penalty, which was converted by Kai Havertz to ensure Arsenal go back to the Emirates for the second leg level at 1-1.

“We had a big chance with Gabi (Martinelli) to make it 1-0 and when you miss those chances obviously the game can change,” Arteta said, reflecting on the performance from his side.

“After that, we didn’t finish enough actions. Every time we got in and around the box, we gave the ball away and allowed certain counter-attacks which is very unlike us.

“We needed to solve certain things and we discussed that at half-time.

“We expected to start the half very fast… instead we got caught. We’re not ready enough. We concede a chance with the header and then concede the goal.

“When you give that advantage to an opponent at this level, they’re going to take it and we had to really dig in because emotionally it becomes a very different challenge.

“We had ten or 15 minutes where we didn’t have enough threat or enough understanding of how to attack that block but the last 20, 25 minutes with the changes, I think it was much better.

“At the end we found a way to score a goal and draw the game.”

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Madueke was introduced in place of the unusually quiet Bukayo Saka and Arteta was delighted with his impact.

“I thought we needed something else and Noni’s been contributing and has been a real threat,” the Arsenal boss said.

“Not surprised at all because that’s his biggest quality. He’s very brave at doing that and he’s a real threat so to have a player with that ability when you need him to step in in the manner that he did, credit to him.”

Arteta also provided an update on Leandro Trossard, who was not fit enough to be included in the squad.

“He trained yesterday but he wasn’t comfortable to play,” Arteta said. “He was still feeling something and at this level you need players at 100% and he wasn’t.”

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