Mikel Arteta’s aspect could also be chasing a quadruple title, however Arsenal’s performances of their final two video games have been removed from classic.
Final Saturday’s recreation towards Mansfield City was a much less spectacular 2-1 away win, however they produced an equally sturdy efficiency towards Bayer Leverkusen beneath the intense lights of Germany.
Certainly, when the membership’s Champions League knock-out marketing campaign started, the Londoners drew 1-1 with their Bundesliga opponents and had been pressured to work extremely exhausting to deliver a consequence again to the Emirates Stadium within the second leg the next Tuesday.
Kai Havertz returned to his previous membership to win a penalty within the dying seconds of the sport, however it have to be stated that there was a component of luck in Arsenal reaching one thing on the highway.
How Arsenal drew with Bayer Leverkusen
As Arsenal strategy the enterprise stage of the season, they might be forgiven for trying a bit drained. Properly, they definitely appeared that method in latest weeks, despite the fact that their squad depth has been hailed as the perfect in Europe.
To inform you the reality, they appeared fairly mediocre towards Leverkusen, because the Bundesliga’s second-best house defensive crew confirmed precisely why they’re so troublesome to interrupt down.
Arsenal had been on monitor for a lot of the match with out being too bothered by the German aspect, however their frustration finally boiled right down to one more irritating night time within the remaining third, significantly with Bukayo Saka.
Arsenal’s star boy lately signed a brand new blockbuster contract value £300,000 per week, however his performances positively don’t justify such a excessive wage.
To this point in 2026, the winger has scored simply two targets in 14 video games. Actually, trying again on the second half of 2025, there have been 21 video games by which he scored simply two targets.
He has been effectively under normal in latest months and his efficiency at Leverkusen was most likely the bottom level of the season thus far. Saka was despatched off after lower than an hour of enjoying time and left the pitch with out making any vital passes or photographs on course. All three of his crosses had been additionally inaccurate.
Arsenal vs Leverkusen participant scores |
|---|
David Raya – 6 |
Julian Timber – 4 |
William Saliba – 6 |
Gabriel Magalhaes – 6 |
Clown Hincapie – 5 |
Martin Zvimendi – 5 |
Declan Rice – 6 |
Bukayozaka – 4 |
King’s Mercy – 5 |
Gabriel Martinelli – 4 |
Victor Gokeres – 3 |
In consequence, it was no surprise that different entrance traces had been struggling. Havertz scored a penalty in the direction of the tip of the sport and located the again of the online. Coincidentally, it was Noni Madueke who took the spot kick as an alternative of Saka.
However earlier than that, Leverkusen had defeated Arsenal in their very own recreation, with Robert Andrich scoring a header from a nook kick simply after the break.
So, typically talking, it was a fairly depressing night time for most of the Kohaku solid members. Nevertheless, Saka was not Arsenal’s largest underperformance.
Arsenal’s worst participant towards Leverkusen
Membership captain Saka’s efficiency on the night time was maybe one of many membership’s worst since his breakthrough as a plucky teenager.
However he and his teammates might do little to assist striker Victor Goqueres, who continues to be a polarizing presence on the high finish of the pitch for Arteta’s aspect.
The Swede has struggled for consistency since becoming a member of from Sporting final summer season, however in 2026 he’s arguably one among Arsenal’s greatest gamers. After scoring twice towards Spurs a couple of weeks in the past, the centre-forward has now scored eight targets in 12 video games this yr.
Sadly, since his spectacular efficiency in north London, Gökeres has returned to print. His efficiency within the 1-0 win towards Brighton was maybe his worst, giving the ball away 13 occasions regardless of having simply 20 touches. He could not maintain the ball in any respect.
Properly, it was an analogous efficiency this time round when the large bucks arrived. He performed 74 minutes earlier than being changed by Havertz, however the substitution ought to have occurred sooner.
Saka loved some energetic moments on the correct flank, however Gokeres reduce out an unknown who was unable to maintain possession. In different phrases, as soon as Arsenal had the ball in entrance of them, they had been unable to alleviate the strain.
The massive-money striker took simply 21 touches on Wednesday night time, 11 fewer than goalkeeper David Raya, whereas additionally finishing simply 69% of his passes and giving the ball away six occasions.
Gokeres vs Leverkusen | |
|---|---|
Play time (minutes) | 74 |
contact | twenty one |
actual path | 11/16 (69%) |
shot | 0 |
key cross | 1 |
dribble | 0 |
carry | 3 |
Gained a floor duel | 2/5 |
gained an aerial battle | 1/2 |
foul | 1 |
To make issues worse, he did not even get a single shot on objective. This sadly tells the disappointing story of his Arsenal profession thus far. For too many video games he did not look the slightest risk.
Though Havertz’s involvement was restricted to targets, it was a way more optimistic affect and at this important stage of the season the Germans solely have to redo each Gokeres and Jesus. However they might want to hold him wholesome. They’ve didn’t win for a lot of the previous yr, however Arteta wants him within the squad if they’re to have any hope of profitable the competitors.
Arteta can neglect about Gokeres by beginning Arsenal new signing Robin van Persie
Arteta wants to think about his choices within the remaining third of Arsenal’s pitch.
