Is Leverkusen ready to pull off a shock?

Even as the visiting team, Bayer Leverkusen has ample grounds to think they can spring an upset and earn a spot in the next round.

The first leg in Germany demonstrated that Leverkusen is fully capable of troubling Arsenal. For most of the match, the German side maintained a tight structure, significantly limiting their opponent's attacking prowess. They even came very close to victory when captain Robert Andrich scored the opening goal from a set-piece. Although they ultimately settled for a draw, that performance provided considerable confidence for coach Kasper Hjulmand and his squad ahead of their trip to London.

In reality, Leverkusen's form has been quite stable recently. After an unfavorable start to 2026 with three consecutive losses, the team quickly regained balance. Across all competitions, Leverkusen has lost only one of their last 13 matches, a streak indicating they are gradually achieving stable performance at this crucial stage of the season. Not only maintaining a competitive position in the Bundesliga, Leverkusen is also in the semifinals of the German Cup and continues to harbor ambitions of advancing deep in the Champions League.

The foundation for Leverkusen's resurgence lies in their solid defense. In their recent 13 matches, they have conceded only 8 goals and kept a clean sheet 7 times. This is a notable achievement considering the German team has faced several strong opponents during this period.

Leverkusen's defensive system operates quite reliably thanks to a blend of experience and youth. Center-back Edmond Tapsoba serves as the leader of the back line, while Andrich and new signing Jarell Quansah provide stability and strong contesting ability. Due to their disciplined defensive setup, Leverkusen is currently one of the teams conceding the fewest goals in the Bundesliga, ranking only behind Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

Alongside their solidity in defense, Leverkusen also possesses several attacking options that can make a difference. While not the most explosive offensive team in Europe, they still have individuals capable of deciding matches in critical moments. Striker Patrik Schick has scored 4 goals in this season's Champions League, while young talent Christian Kofane adds flexibility to the attacking front.

One of Leverkusen's most noteworthy weapons is wing-back Alejandro Grimaldo. The Spanish player has scored up to 12 goals this season, including 5 direct strikes from free-kick situations, a statistic highlighting his significant potential to create breakthroughs.

Another factor boosting Leverkusen's confidence is their relatively positive record against English teams. The Bundesliga representative has lost only one of their last eight matches against clubs from the Premier League.

With a sturdy defense, disciplined play, and individuals capable of creating breakthroughs, Leverkusen could very well turn the match in London into a knockout-stage shock in the Champions League.