Arsenal – Bayer Leverkusen: Emirates ready to blow the roof off 
Tonight the Emirates lights go on for a Champions League round-of-16 second leg that smells of fireworks. After scraping out a gutsy 1-1 in Germany, Arsenal host a Bayer Leverkusen side that specialises in smothering opponents. Simple brief for the Gunners: finish it at home and book a quarter-final spot.
Arsenal barely dodged a bullet 
At the BayArena last week Arsenal almost left with their heads in their hands. They were muzzled for long stretches and paid for one slack moment when Robert Andrich nodded them in front. Arteta’s side only got going after a change — and what a change. Noni Madueke came on and sparked trouble, won a penalty and Kai Havertz, playing against his old club, kept his cool from the spot. A late nick that now puts Arsenal in the driving seat.
Back at home the Emirates has turned into a proper fortress. One defeat in their last 22 European home games — that’s not luck. Since January they’ve rebuilt their house: six wins on the bounce across all competitions and four clean sheets in the last five at the Emirates. A 2-0 win over Everton last time out, thanks to Viktor Gyokeres and wonderkid Max Dowman, only sharpened the mood. Nine points clear of Manchester City in the Premier League, Arsenal can play with freedom and aim for a third straight Champions League quarter-final.
Leverkusen, masters of the draw 
The German side arrive with momentum that’s a bit flat. Kasper Hjulmand’s team have become specialists in one result: draws. Five stalemates in their last six across all competitions. Even this weekend they nicked a 1-1 with Bayern Munich, clinging on after two Red expulsions to force a point.
Credit where it’s due: they’re tough to beat — one loss in 14 — but their chronic inability to push games over the line is a real worry. If they want to crack open Arsenal’s defence they’ll need far more bite in the final third. Their away form isn’t reassuring either — only four wins in their last ten trips. And let’s not forget last time they met at the Emirates was a preseason spanking (4-1). If they don’t want another hiding, the Germans will have to lift themselves.
Likely lineups
Arsenal : Raya ; Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie ; Zubimendi, Rice ; Madueke, Saka, Martinelli ; Gyokeres
Bayer Leverkusen : Blaswich ; Andrich, Quansah, Tapsoba ; Poku, Fernandez, Palacios, Grimaldo ; Maza, Terrier ; Kofane
Football prediction Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen
Arsenal to win and keep a clean sheet
Since January Arsenal have rebuilt the Emirates like a brick wall. Six straight wins across competitions, and four shutouts in five home games — that’s not coincidence. This second leg will likely be tight and tactical; Leverkusen know how to stifle teams, but they lack genuine cutting edge inside the last 30 yards. Combine Arsenal’s defensive steel with their knack for doing damage in front of their crowd and the sensible call is a home win with a clean sheet, sending the Gunners through to the quarters with breathing room.
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