How to watch Leverkusen v Arsenal: TV channel, start time and streaming Champions League tie online
Arsenal take on Bayer Leverkusen tonight in the last-16 of the Champions League as the Gunners continue their assault on four trophies.
The Premier League leaders are through to the final of the Carabao Cup, where they will meet Manchester City, and they face Southampton in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
But first is the challenge of Leverkusen, who have fallen away since their title-winning exploits under Xavi Alonso, having sold stars such as Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong.
Now led by the former Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand, Leverkusen are sixth in the Bundesliga. They finished 16th in the Champions League group phase, picking up impressing away wins at Manchester City and Benfica, while also losing 7-2 to PSG.
Leverkusen beat Olympiacos 2-0 in the play-offs to reach the round of 16.
When is Leverkusen v Arsenal?
The first leg of the Champions League last-16 tie takes place at the BayArena at 5.45pm GMT.
TV channel and how to watch online
Leverkusen v Arsenal will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 3. Subscribers can stream the game online via the TNT Sports website and Discovery+ app.
Confirmed line-ups
Leverkusen XI: Blaswich; Andrich, Quansah, Tapsoba; Poku, Garcia, Fernandez, Grimaldo; Maza, Kofane, Terrier.
Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice, Eze; Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli.
Team news
Leverkusen boss Kasper Hjulmand has made just one change to the starting XI that drew 3-3 to Freiburg last week, with Exequiel Palacios replacing Equi Fernández in central midfield.
Young Cameroon striker Christian Kofane – who impressed at Afcon earlier this year – leads the line, with Ibrahim Maza and Martin Terrier in support.
Mikel Arteta has made 10 changes to the side that beat Mansfield Town, with only Gabriel Martinelli keeping his place in the side. David Raya returns in goal, with William Saliba returning to the side in defence alongside Gabriel.
In midfield, Declan Rice comes back alongside Ebere Eze and Martin Zubimendi, while Viktor Gyokeres leads the line supported by Bukayo Saka and Martinelli.
Prediction
Leverkusen have pulled off some impressive results in the Champions League, and they will give Arsenal a stiff test tonight. But Mikel Arteta’s side have been a cut above the rest of Europe all season, especially defensively, and they can bring a result back to the Emirates for the second leg. Leverkusen 1-1 Arsenal.
