Key Points
- Arsenal host Bayer Leverkusen at the Emirates Stadium in North London for the Champions League last-16 second-leg tie on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, with kick-off at 8pm GMT.
- The first leg ended in a 1-1 draw at the BayArena in Germany on March 11, 2026, with Robert Andrich heading Leverkusen ahead early in the second half and Kai Havertz equalising with a late penalty.​
- UK viewers can watch live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage starting at 7pm GMT; streaming available on discovery+.
- Radio coverage options include talkSPORT and BBC Radio 5 Live for live commentary.
- Arsenal are without key players Martin Odegaard, Jurrien Timber, and Mikel Merino due to injuries; predicted lineup features David Raya in goal, with Viktor Gyokeres up front.
- Bayer Leverkusen face injury doubts including Martin Terrier (ankle), Eliesse Ben Seghir, Mark Flekken, Loic Bade, Lucas Vazquez, and Arthur; Patrik Schick may return.
- Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta aims for progression amid a strong unbeaten run, while Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso seeks to defend their lead.
- The match is crucial for Arsenal’s quadruple dream, with away goals no longer in play under current rules.​
Arsenal, (North London News) March 17, 2026 – Arsenal face Bayer Leverkusen tonight at the Emirates Stadium in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie, following a tense 1-1 draw in the first leg in Germany last week. The Gunners, managed by Mikel Arteta, will look to leverage home advantage to advance to the quarter-finals, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm GMT. Fans across the UK are set for comprehensive TV, streaming, and radio coverage of this high-stakes encounter.
- Key Points
- How Can I Watch Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen Live on TV?
- What Are the Streaming Options for Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen?
- Which Radio Stations Cover Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen?
- What Happened in the First Leg Between Bayer Leverkusen and Arsenal?
- What Did Mikel Arteta Say After Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal?
- What Is the Predicted Arsenal Lineup vs Bayer Leverkusen?
- What Injuries Face Bayer Leverkusen Ahead of Arsenal Clash?
- What Is Bayer Leverkusen’s Predicted Lineup vs Arsenal?
- Why Is This Match Crucial for Arsenal?
- What Are the Qualification Scenarios?
How Can I Watch Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen Live on TV?
UK television viewers have clear options for the match. As reported by the Independent’s football coverage team, fans can tune into TNT Sports 1, where pre-match build-up begins at 7pm GMT ahead of the 8pm start. This aligns with TNT Sports’ role as the primary broadcaster for Champions League fixtures in Britain, as confirmed on their official site for the Arsenal vs Bayer 04 Leverkusen live page.
TNT Sports, formerly part of BT Sport, holds exclusive rights for such ties, ensuring high-quality coverage with expert analysis. Subscribers via Sky, Virgin Media, or EE can access it directly, while non-subscribers can opt for a discovery+ streaming pass.
What Are the Streaming Options for Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen?
For those preferring digital access, discovery+ offers live streaming of the entire match, mirroring the TNT Sports 1 broadcast. The platform, as detailed in Independent’s guide, requires a Premium monthly pass starting from £30.99, which includes all Champions League knockout games.​
As noted in Yahoo Sports’ viewing guide by their football desk, streaming is seamless for UK audiences, with no blackouts reported for this fixture. International fans may need VPNs, but UK-based viewers like those in North London have straightforward access.
Which Radio Stations Cover Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen?
Radio enthusiasts can follow the action on talkSPORT, which provides nationwide live commentary for major Champions League matches. BBC Radio 5 Live also offers ball-by-ball coverage, often with detailed post-match analysis.​
These stations captured the drama of the first leg, where Kai Havertz’s late penalty was a focal point, as per Sky Sports’ match report. Listeners in Karachi or elsewhere can stream via apps for real-time updates.
What Happened in the First Leg Between Bayer Leverkusen and Arsenal?
The first leg at BayArena on March 11, 2026, saw Bayer Leverkusen take the lead through Robert Andrich’s header from a corner shortly after half-time. Arsenal, trailing, mounted a comeback, with Kai Havertz – formerly of Leverkusen – converting a penalty in the 89th minute to secure a vital away draw.​
As per Sky Sports’ match report, Arsenal hit the crossbar via Gabriel Martinelli early on but struggled post-goal until substitutions turned the tide. YouTube highlights from official channels confirm the 1-1 scoreline, with Leverkusen dominating possession but Arsenal resilient.​
What Did Mikel Arteta Say After Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal?
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta spoke to TNT Sports post-match, praising his side’s composure.
“The game had very different periods. We started well, had a massive chance, hit the crossbar with Martinelli. We had some dominance but didn’t finish enough actions,”
Arteta stated.
He added,
“We didn’t pay enough attention on the kick-off, and after they score the goal. We had to stay emotionally very composed, we improved with the changes and found a way to draw the match”.
In his pre-second-leg presser, as covered by Football.London’s Arsenal FC news team, Arteta emphasised knockout stakes:
“As you enter the latter part of the competition, the stakes become much clearer. We are about to engage in matches where the outcome is critical”.
What Is the Predicted Arsenal Lineup vs Bayer Leverkusen?
Injuries plague Arsenal: Martin Odegaard, Jurrien Timber, and Mikel Merino are out. Evening Standard’s predicted XI (4-2-3-1) reads: Raya; Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Eze, Trossard; Gyokeres.​
Pain in the Arsenal blog echoes this, highlighting Declan Rice’s midfield role and Saka’s wing threat. Yahoo Sports predicts similar: Raya; Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice, Martinelli; Saka, Gyokeres.
What Injuries Face Bayer Leverkusen Ahead of Arsenal Clash?
Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso contends with a lengthy list. Football.London reports Martin Terrier doubtful with an ankle injury; Eliesse Ben Seghir, Mark Flekken (ligament), Loic Bade (hamstring), Lucas Vazquez (calf), and Arthur (ligament tear, out four games) are concerns.
Bulinews confirms Arthur’s syndesmosis tear and others sidelined for 15 matches; Patrik Schick could return. Sports Illustrated notes Ben Seghir’s slim chance, with Terrier a doubt.
What Is Bayer Leverkusen’s Predicted Lineup vs Arsenal?
Sports Illustrated predicts a 3-4-2-1: Blaswich; Quansah, Andrich, Tapsoba; Poku, Palacios, GarcĂa, Grimaldo; Tillmann, Hofmann; Schick. Vavel’s preview aligns, featuring Grimaldo and Palacios in midfield.
These lineups account for injuries, with Andrich – scorer in the first leg – likely to feature.​
Why Is This Match Crucial for Arsenal?
Arsenal chase an unprecedented quadruple, as Independent notes, with a 13-match unbeaten run per Yahoo Sports. Progression hinges on overturning or matching the away goal-less draw, under rules without away goals.
Arteta’s side dominated parts of the first leg but needs clinical finishing at home. Leverkusen’s counter-threat, led by Schick, poses dangers.
What Are the Qualification Scenarios?
A Arsenal win advances them directly. A draw sees extra time and penalties, as the first leg was level. Leverkusen win progresses them. Athlon Sports outlines: Emirates hosts the decider at 4pm ET (9pm PKT), with Paramount+ for US viewers but TNT for UK.
This tie revives Arteta-Alonso rivalry, with Leverkusen’s Bundesliga pedigree clashing Arsenal’s Premier League form.​
