Havertz penalty rescues Arsenal draw against Leverkusen | OneFootball

Kai Havertz scored late against former club Bayer Leverkusen as Arsenal earned a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

Arsenal began brightly but struggled to create clear openings. Gabriel Martinelli came closest in the first half when he struck the crossbar during a swift counter-attack.

The hosts took control after the break and moved ahead early in the second half. Martin Terrier forced a save from David Raya moments after the restart and, from the resulting corner, Robert Andrich rose highest to head the hosts in front.

Mikel Arteta’s side found it difficult to break down a well-organised Leverkusen defence but were handed a late opportunity when substitute Noni Madueke was brought down by Malik Tillman inside the box.

Havertz stepped up and calmly converted the penalty against the club he previously spent a decade with, choosing not to celebrate.

The late equaliser leaves the tie finely balanced ahead of the second leg in London.

Incidents: The story of the match

1':

The match begins

4':

Missed opportunity. Bukayo Saka from Arsenal took a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area following a direct free kick.

5':

Opportunity wasted. Bukayo Saka from Arsenal took a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area following a free kick, but it went wide to the left.

15':

Missed opportunity! Ibrahim Maza from Bayer 04 Leverkusen took a left-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area, but it sailed high and wide to the left. The assist came from Christian Kofane after a quick counterattack.

45 +1':

Missed opportunity. Ibrahim Maza from Bayer 04 Leverkusen attempted a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area but it went wide to the left. The assist came from Exequiel Palacios.

Bayer 04 Leverkusen takes the lead, 1-0 against Arsenal. Robert Andrich scores with a header from close range, directing the ball into the top left corner. The assist comes from Alejandro Grimaldo, who delivered a precise cross following a corner kick.

46':

GOAL Bayer Leverkusen: Robert Andrich (Bayer Leverkusen) scores!

Robert Andrich scores goal number 1 in the competition (8 matches)

48':

Missed opportunity! Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal attempted a header from the center of the box but sent it wide to the left. The assist came from Eberechi Eze, who delivered a cross.

65':

Missed opportunity. Ibrahim Maza from Bayer 04 Leverkusen attempted a left-footed shot from over 40 yards out on the left flank.

77':

Opportunity wasted! Aleix García of Bayer 04 Leverkusen took a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it sailed over the goal. The assist came from Christian Kofane after a quick counterattack.

It's Bayer 04 Leverkusen 1, Arsenal 1. Kai Havertz from Arsenal steps up and scores the penalty, striking it with his left foot into the bottom left corner.

89':

GOALArsenal: Kai Havertz (Arsenal) scores penalty-kick!

Kai Havertz scores goal number 2 in the competition (2 matches) Kai Havertz scores goal number 33 for his team (99 matches)

998':

The referee whistles for the end of the match