Arsenal

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta speaking after the 1-1 draw with Bayer Leverkusen: "The game had very different periods. We started quite well, and had a massive chance with Martinelli who hits the crossbar. In those moments if you score the game changes completely and we had certain dominance, but we didn't finish enough actions and that allows certain counter attacks. They are quite dangerous with that.

"We wanted to start the second half strongly and it was the complete opposite, not paying attention on the kick-off, which we discussed before the match. Then they have a clear header, then after they score and it's game on. The tie changes.

"We had to stay emotionally composed and we improved in certain changes. We had more possession and threat on the wings, and we found a way back into the match.

"Football has very funny and nice stories as well and it was very impressive the way [Kai Havertz] took the penalty. Obviously it was a big goal for us.

On the second leg: "We have to use the home advantage. The tie is 50/50 now. There is a lot to do. We are going to need our people to be at our best."

On Noni Madueke's impact: "He was really good. He changed the rhythm, dynamic and threat and had a big impact on the result."

Did you know?

• Kai Havertz has been directly involved in seven goals (5 goals, 2 assists) in his last six UEFA Champions League games, after just two goals (0 assists) in his first 14 matches in the competition for Arsenal.

• Buyako Saka made his 25th appearance in the UEFA Champions League tonight; Harry Kane (23) is the only Englishman with more goal involvements than the Arsenal man in his first 25 games in the competition (20, 12 goals, 8 assists).

Alex Howell
Football reporter

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Having gone close to the opener through Gabriel Martinelli, Arsenal had put Leverkusen under pressure early on.

Goalscorer Andrich picked up a yellow card for a foul on Viktor Gyokeres and the centre-back was fortunate not to see another, and subsequently be sent off, following a block off the ball on the Sweden striker.

But the match drifted after that and the Leverkusen midfield of Aleix Garcia and Exequiel Palacios were excellent when they had possession, while they did a good job of disrupting Arsenal's attacks.

Despite flashes of good play, the Gunners could only register one shot on target before the break and had no corners given their strength on set-pieces this season.

They were also surprised by the positivity of Leverkusen's second-half start and the hosts grew in confidence after going ahead.

Christian Kofane caused centre-back Gabriel problems all night, while Bukayo Saka was far from his best and replaced by Madueke on the hour mark, with the substitute making a massive impact.

With four trophies still within reach in this campaign, the pressure and expectation will only increase on the Premier League leaders.

They managed to show character to come back in Germany, and the last time these two sides met in the Champions League, Arsenal won the home leg in the 2001-02 group stage 4-1 after a 1-1 draw in Leverkusen.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

What did you make of Arsenal's display?

Come back on Thursday for a selection of your replies

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Striker Patrik Schick is only fit enough for a place on the Bayer Leverkusen bench after only recently returning to team training.

Bayer Leverkusen XI: Blaswich, Quansah, Andrich, Tapsoba, Poku, Palacios, Garcia, Grimaldo, Terrier, Maza, Kofane.

Subs: Omlin, Lomb, Fernandez, Hofmann, Tillman, Schick, Oermann, Tape, Culbreath.

Mikel Arteta reverts back to his strongest available XI after the FA Cup match against Mansfield at the weekend.

Eberechi Eze is the number 10 while Gabriel Martinelli, who has six goals in the competition, is on the left wing.

Kai Havertz, who is returning to face his former club, is on the bench. Piero Hincapie, who is on loan from Leverkusen to Arsenal, starts for the Gunners.

Arsenal XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Rice, Eze, Saka, Martinelli, Gyokeres.

Subs: Arrizabalaga, Ranson, Mosquera, White, Jesus, Norgaard, Madueke, Havertz, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman, Salmon.

There are four games in the Champions League on Wednesday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Bayer Leverkusen v Arsenal (17:45) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Bodo/Glimt v Sporting

• Paris St-Germain v Chelsea

• Real Madrid v Manchester City - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 20:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Real Madrid v Manchester City", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to football on BBC Sounds

Watch highlights of every Champions League game from 22:00 on Wednesday on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

There will also be a Champions League Match of the Day on BBC One on Wednesday, from 22:40 to 00:00.

Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

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Kai Havertz says he has a "new hunger" for football after a "stop-start" season due to injuries.

The 26-year-old has been restricted to just 10 appearances in all competitions because of fitness issues.

He had two long-term injuries last season with a hamstring injury he picked up on Arsenal's Dubai training camp in February requiring surgery and a knee injury he picked up on the opening day of the season keeping him out for over four months.

"I think for me personally, we all know it was not what I expected it to be, but I always think that things happen for a reason, and now I'm back and I feel good, and I'm happy to have the team again.

"It was stop-and-start, but sometimes football is like this. I haven't really faced a challenge like this before in my career, so I just tried to give everything to be back as soon as I could, and now I'm just happy to be back and be here and help the team," Havertz said.

Arsenal are in Germany to play Havertz's former team Bayer Leverkusen in their Champions League last 16 match.

The Gunners are still chasing trophies in four competitions and Havertz is hoping to play a big part as the season gets to its climax.

The Germany international has featured in Arsenal's last three matches but did suffer a setback in his recovery with a muscle injury he picked up in February.

"For me it was just tough, because I never felt that pain before in my life," Havertz said. "And it just came randomly, but I tried to go through these things.

"Having two surgeries after another is not easy, but I think I'm professional enough to know that this is also part of football sometimes.

"I know that there are so many players out there that went through stages of their career also - and I think I'm still young. So I've got a lot of years hopefully in front of me.

"But obviously mentally it was tough, but I got help from at home, from Arsenal, from the players, so everyone was lifting my spirits.

"During these times, I felt how much I missed being on the pitch, how much I missed being with the boys, that feeling that you have after a game.

"I missed it so much. That's why it was mentally so hard for me, because I couldn't be there. It just gave me a new hunger."

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

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It is 20 years since Arsenal reached their only Champions League final but opportunity could be knocking for the Premier League leaders. Victory against a talented but beatable Leverkusen side, currently sixth in the Bundesliga, would set up quarter-final versus either Bodo/Glimt or Sporting, two of this season's surprise packages. While competing on four fronts will test the Gunners' squad depth, it's an inviting prospect.

But the bracket could just as easily open up for Leverkusen, who will also be hoping to rekindle some noughties memories of their own. The only previous occasion they reached the last eight of this competition came during their run to the final in 2001–02, when they eliminated two English sides. Michael Ballack, Lucio and a young Dimitar Berbatov scored in a dramatic win to knock out Liverpool in the quarter-finals, before they edged past Manchester United in the semis. The Germans will also draw confidence from November's 2–0 win away to Manchester City, plus their formidable recent defensive record – they have gone over five hours without conceding a Champions League goal.

Did you know?

• Leverkusen have lost only two of their last 19 European home games (W11, D6).

• The German club have conceded 26 shots from high turnovers, more than any other side in the Champions League this season (prior to the latest round of fixtures).

• They have created 43% of their chances in this season's CL down their left-hand side. Left wing-back Alejandro Grimaldo has created 23 chances, 12 more than any of his team-mates.

Key player - if he makes it...

Patrick Schick is doubtful for this game after missing the last two matches with a muscle issue. He is Leverkusen's top scorer this season with 13 goals, including both goals against Olympiakos in the last round plus one in November's 2-0 win away to Man City.

The Czech is in his sixth season at the club and signed new long-term deal in August. Injuries mean he has started more than 20 league games just once for Leverkusen.

Arsenal are keen on signing Germany midfielder Julian Brandt, 29, when his Borussia Dortmund contract expires this summer. (Metro), external

Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea are all keen on Freiburg's 20-year-old Switzerland midfielder Johan Manzambi. (Teamtalk), external

Arsenal, though, have dropped their interest in Newcastle's 25-year-old Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali. (Chronicle), external

Liverpool remain in the market for a defender this summer and Eintracht Frankfurt's Germany international Nnamdi Collins is a target, with Arsenal also monitoring the 22-year-old. (Mirror), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Champions League last-16 first leg against Bayer Leverkusen at BayArena (kick-off 17:45 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Arteta confirmed Marin Odegaard is out for the match, but Riccardo Calafiori and Leandro Trossard are both a "possibility", while William Saliba, Gabriel, Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi are all available.

• On if he feels the team are in a different place now and belong at this level: "I believe so. This is football and you have to show it on Wednesday night. I know that you have to be so clear what the team is going to demand. You need to perform on the day. Champions League is about the day. Within that day, there are moments. You have to be better than the opponent."

• Asked about fans discussing the possibility of a 'quadruple' after the FA Cup draw, the Arsenal boss responded: "No, I don't use that phrase, don't talk about it. I don't know what they [the players] talk about when I'm not there. We all know the difficulty of every competition. It starts tomorrow. We are changing from competition to competition every three days. So far, we've done so well, and we need to continue to do that."

• After his injury struggles, striker Kai Havertz now has "total consistency in terms of training, preparation and game time" and they will "continue to roll with that" because they know "how Kai can impact the team".

• Arteta added: "It's been something new for him. When you look at his injury record, it's just blank. He never had a muscle injury, and last year he had his hamstring injury that required the surgery and then the knee injury. So it's been a tough period. But as well, a lot of great things happened in his private life as well. When you talk about a 15-20 year career, you're going to have to go through these moments."

• On Myles Lewis-Skelly's campaign and minutes: "Every season is different. He had very good moments in this season. He had other moments that he hasn't played in that much. Obviously, a few days ago, in the FA Cup, he was suspended and he could not play. So, there are various reasons. Sometimes, as well, the good form of your team-mates. There's a lot of factors that contribute to that. But he's doing well."

Listen to full commentary of Bayern Leverkusen v Arsenal on Wednesday from 17:45 GMT on BBC Sounds

Got a question about Arsenal? Get in touch here and we'll put it to our experts

Laura Kirk-Francis
Fan writer

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For a long time, Gabriel Jesus was the best player I'd ever seen live at Emirates Stadium. Joining Arsenal for the 2022-23 season from Manchester City, he possessed a speed and agility which seemed levels above the squad at the time.

Fast forward to 2026 and I watched his performance during Arsenal's 2-1 win against Mansfield Town in the FA Cup with a tinge of sadness.

It's of course natural for players to lose speed and intensity as they enter the latter stage of their career, particularly when they have experienced long-term injuries (the Brazilian has twice suffered serious knee injuries leading to months on the sidelines). But his ability to find space, and his overall finishing has been completely lost.

Moreover, when compared to the impressive Max Dowman who seems to make everything look easy, Gabriel Jesus looks laboured in everything he is doing and indeed trying to do.

With his contract expiring at the end of the season, his performances have not been compelling evidence as to why Arsenal should offer an extension.

But with the Gunners competing in all four competitions, there is still a chance for Gabriel Jesus to end his Arsenal career with silverware.

Perhaps I'm being overly sentimental, but his arrival in 2022 was an integral part of helping Arsenal challenge for the title again after a long time languishing outside of the top spot and even outside of Europe. His ability back then set Arsenal on the pathway to where they are today.

He may not be part of Mikel Arteta's future plans but his legacy should not be reduced to a poor performance in a difficult FA Cup tie. Should Arsenal be lucky enough to have any trophy parade come the end of the season, he deserves both hands on the silverware for the part he has played in delivering it to north London.

Find more from Laura Kirk-Francis at the Latte Firm podcast, external

Matt Spiro

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After three consecutive Premier League runners-up finishes, Mikel Arteta was left searching for answers.

What would it take to turn his Arsenal team into champions? The squad needed more depth. The mentality had to be tougher.

The club responded by signing eight new players. Yet the most important summer arrival may well have been the least conspicuous. Arteta turned to one of his oldest and most trusted allies: former Argentina, Paris St-Germain, Real Madrid and Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze, who replaced outgoing assistant Carlos Cuesta.

Arteta and Heinze first met at PSG in 2001 under the management of Luis Fernandez.

"They were great boys," says Fernandez, who signed Arteta from Barcelona in January 2001 and Heinze from Real Valladolid six months later.

"It was a pleasure to manage them. What's great is they haven't changed. They're exactly the same today; loyal, hard-working people. When I see what they're doing at Arsenal, I'm very proud."

It feels highly significant that at this key moment in Arteta's managerial career, he turned to a figure who had performed the role of a big brother to him at PSG.

That PSG team was packed with star names and strong personalities. As well as Heinze, Arteta shared a dressing room with Ronaldinho, Mauricio Pochettino, Jay-Jay Okocha and Nicolas Anelka.

The first months were difficult for the shy, introverted Spaniard, despite the presence and support of his parents.

"It was very tough," remembers Yves Ribardiere, PSG's player liaison officer back then. "Mikel was living in a hotel that was quite basic. It was winter, the weather was cold and grey. He was in this small room and had a lot of time to kill. I used to stay with him to make sure he didn't get too down."

Heinze is four years older than Arteta, but there was an immediate chemistry between the two. "They were together at training, and also spent time together away from the pitch with their families," recalls Fernandez.

Heinze took his notoriously feisty nature into management. Spells as head coach in his homeland with Godoy Cruz, Argentinos Juniors, Velez Sarsfield and Newell's Old Boys – and at Atlanta United in the MLS – proved tumultuous and short-lived.

In north London, Arteta is channelling Heinze's enthusiasm – and the Gunners are flying. "They're like two volcanoes," Cisse says. "One that erupts occasionally (Arteta) and one that erupts all the time (Heinze). With everything he has to manage, Mikel can't be shouting at his players constantly. You need help. Gabi will be doing that every day in training.

"It's a superb combination," Cisse insists. "Mikel has done a fantastic job, but he needs help to get his team over the line. Gabi, through his obsession with winning, can do that."

As Arsenal's season moves towards a thrilling climax, that trust off the pitch may prove as valuable as any signing on it.

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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The British football fan can smell corporate greed from across an ocean. Football folk do not like the mystique being stripped away from their passion.

Teams who win by pure design and numbers culled from mountains of data suddenly find themselves very unpopular if they disregard the human side.

The perfect example of this came last week.

Many fans with no direct stake in who they prefer to win the Premier League were quietly backing Arsenal.

With such a long wait since they were champions and having been runners up three times in a row, they had the sympathy vote.

On top of that, they had creative artists on the pitch such as Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke.

What's more, they were bringing through a raft of young talent from their own academy teams.

Over the period of a week however, a lot of that love seemed to evaporate, particularly after those two of ultra physical set-piece goals against Chelsea.

Mikel Arteta seemed to double down on the argument that any way you win is the right way to win.

It has lost them a lot of support and just about all of the sympathy, even if Eze and Madueke showed at Mansfield that they can still produce memorable open-play finishes if they really need to.‌

If they win the title they will not care, if they don't there will be fewer tears shed in the wider game.

Sign up to read more from Pat Nevin in his Football Extra newsletter

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The draw for the FA Cup quarter finals has been made. Here is a list of all the ties in the order they were drawn:

• Southampton v Arsenal

• Chelsea v Port Vale

• Manchester City v Liverpool

• West Ham or Brentford v Leeds United

The ties will be played around the weekend of Saturday, 4 April.

Watch all the highlights and best video from this season's FA Cup

We asked for your views on the FA Cup fifth round game between Mansfield Town and Arsenal.

Here are some of your comments:

Matthew: Arsenal had to work harder than expected against lower-league opposition, but the result is what matters in cup competitions. A small but encouraging glimpse of Max Dowman's talent as well.

Scott: How good were Mansfield! Struggling in league One and gave us a better game than most PL teams have this season. Hopefully they'll kick on now and start flying up the league. But as a lifelong Gooner I'm delighted to see us get through and to see young Salmon and Dowman get a good run out too. Looking forward to Mondays draw now.

Dan: A win is a win is a win. Does it matter that it's not entertaining?

Robert: Arsenal continued to frustrate and at times looked less fluid than Mansfield. Dowman was a delight and entertained especially in the first half. He just needs to strengthen his shooting, but that will come.

John: Arsenal did well to win an awkward looking game on a tricky looking playing surface. The main objective was to win and give the key players a weekend rest. Very good!

Wayne Rooney has given his opinion on Arsenal's style on his podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show.

"I've heard over the last week a lot of people talking about Arsenal and how they're playing," he said. "I think Arsenal have been brilliant.

"Football is played in different ways and Arsenal have got a good mix of a bit of everything. They've got different players who score goals, they're hard to play against, they keep clean sheets and I actually enjoy watching them play.

"Set-pieces is part of football, so when Arsenal have done something which they've clearly worked on and teams find difficult to defend against, why would you not use it? If teams can't deal with it, do it more.

"I think it's very unfair the criticism which they are receiving."

Watch The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

Pundits Ellen White and Glenn Murray join host Kelly Somers to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday and Sunday's FA Cup ties.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Port Vale 1-0 Sunderland

• Fulham 0-1 Southampton

• Leeds 3-0 Norwich

• Wrexham 2-3 Chelsea

• Newcastle 1-3 Man City

• Mansfield Town 1-2 Arsenal

• Wolves 1-3 Liverpool

Arsenal are leading the race to sign Bayern Munich's 31-year-old Germany midfielder Leon Goretzka. (Christian Falk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Chris Adams
BBC Sport journalist

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For the first time, two English clubs have reached March still in the hunt for the Quadruple - winning the Premier League, the FA Cup, the EFL Cup, and the Champions League.

They are the three most prized domestic trophies and Europe's elite title.

Arsenal and Manchester City are both capable of winning all four given they are jousting for the Premier League title, still in the FA Cup and Champions League, and meet in the EFL Cup final later this month.

The Gunners defeated League One side Mansfield Town to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, while City beat Newcastle United.

Last week's draw for the Champions League knockout stages means the Premier League's top two can only meet in May's final.

Winning the Quadruple has been done before - but by a team north of the border.

Scottish giants Celtic swept all before them in 1966-67, culminating in a European Cup win over Inter Milan, and with a squad born within 30 miles of Celtic Park.

But how close have other clubs come to completing the Quadruple?

Find out here